APUSH Terms 10/21-10/25/24

What was the first written constitution of the United States?

• The U.S. Constitution

• The Articles of Confederation

• The Bill of Rights

• The Declaration of Independence

Answer explanation

The Articles of Confederation, ratified in 1781, was the first written constitution of the United States, establishing a framework for the national government. The U.S. Constitution came later, in 1787.

Which event highlighted the weaknesses of the central government under the Articles of Confederation?

• The Boston Tea Party

• The War of 1812

• Shays' Rebellion

• The Louisiana Purchase

Answer explanation

Shays' Rebellion in 1786 exposed the weaknesses of the central government under the Articles of Confederation, as it struggled to respond to civil unrest and lacked the power to raise a national army or enforce laws.

How were U.S. presidents elected under the Electoral College System?

• Direct popular vote

• By Congress

• By state governors

• By electors chosen by voters in each state

Answer explanation

U.S. presidents are elected through the Electoral College, where electors, chosen by voters in each state, cast votes for the president. This system means the election is not a direct popular vote.

What was a major weakness of the Articles of Confederation?

• It allowed states to print their own money

• It created a strong central government

• It established a national bank

• It effectively regulated interstate trade

Answer explanation

A major weakness of the Articles of Confederation was that it allowed states to print their own money, leading to economic instability and confusion. This lack of a uniform currency hindered trade and financial transactions.

Explain why Shays' Rebellion was significant in American history.

• It led to the end of the Revolutionary War

• It demonstrated the need for a stronger federal government

• It resulted in the creation of the Bill of Rights

• It was the first successful slave revolt in the U.S.

Answer explanation

Shays' Rebellion was significant because it highlighted the weaknesses of the Articles of Confederation, demonstrating the need for a stronger federal government to maintain order and address economic instability.

What was the primary purpose of the Virginia Plan proposed by James Madison?

• To maintain a weak central government

• To establish a monarchy in the United States

• To create a strong national government with three branches

• To abolish the Electoral College

Answer explanation

The Virginia Plan, proposed by James Madison, aimed to create a strong national government with three branches: legislative, executive, and judicial, to ensure a more effective governance structure.

Analyze the impact of the Articles of Confederation on the economic stability of the United States.

• It led to economic prosperity and growth

• It caused economic instability due to lack of federal power to tax

• It established a strong national currency

• It encouraged international trade

Answer explanation

The Articles of Confederation caused economic instability because they did not grant the federal government the power to tax, leading to insufficient revenue and inability to address economic challenges.

What was the structure of the legislature proposed in the Virginia Plan?

• Unicameral legislature

• Bicameral legislature

• Tricameral legislature

• No legislature

Answer explanation

The Virginia Plan proposed a bicameral legislature, meaning it would have two houses. This structure aimed to create a more balanced representation compared to a unicameral system.

Compare the Articles of Confederation and the U.S. Constitution in terms of central government power.

• Both provided strong central government power

• The Articles provided more power to the central government

• The Constitution provided more power to the central government

• Neither provided central government power

Answer explanation

The U.S. Constitution established a stronger central government compared to the Articles of Confederation, which had limited federal authority. This shift allowed for more effective governance and the ability to enforce laws.

Evaluate the effectiveness of the Electoral College System in representing the popular vote.

• It always reflects the popular vote accurately

• It sometimes results in a president who did not win the popular vote

• It never reflects the popular vote

• It is based solely on the popular vote

Answer explanation

The Electoral College can lead to scenarios where a candidate wins the presidency without winning the popular vote, as seen in elections like 2000 and 2016. Thus, it sometimes results in a president who did not win the popular vote.