Articles of Confederation and Constitution Questions

What was the main weakness of the Articles of Confederation?

• the federal government was too weak

• It had no legislative branch

• The judicial was too powerful

• The executive was too powerful

Who had more power under the Articles of Confederation?

• Federal Government
• State Governments
• Individual people
• States with larger populations

Americans were afraid that a __?__ would lead to tyranny, or oppressive rule.

• strong state government

• weak government

• strong federal/national/central government

• legslature

Use the table to answer the question.

Weaknesses in the Articles of Confederation

Weakness

No power to enforce laws

No executive branch

No judicial branch

How did these weaknesses impact the writing of the Constitution?

• The Founding Fathers gave Congress the power to legislate.

• The Founding Fathers created a government with three branches.

• The Founding Fathers gave the states the power to interpret national laws?

• The Founding Fathers created the office of president to settle disputes.

What did Shays Rebellion demonstrate to the U.S. Confederal Government?

• That the people were not to be trusted

• That the Articles of Confederation was too weak and needed to be replaced

• That state governments were too strong

• That more laws needed to be passed

What would be the best title for this graph?

• Federal System of Government

• Weaknesses of the Articles of Confederation

• Weaknesses of the Declaration of Independence

• Weaknesses of the U.S. Constitution

In the late 1780's, some key states were persuaded to ratify the Constitution by the promise that provision would be made for

• a national court system

• national assumption of state debts

• low taxes

• a bill of rights

Which constitutional provision indicates that the authors of the original Constitution did not completely trust the common voter to make decisions?

• the electoral college

• the veto power of the President

• direct election of Senators

• election to the House of Representatives

Which issue discussed at the Constitutional Convention of 1787 continues to be a major concern in the United States?

• relationship of states to each other

• power to regulate foreign trade

• balance of power between state and national governments

• location of the national capital

The most significant change from the Articles of Confederation to the United States Constitution was the

• establishment of a written form of government

• strengthening the power of the Federal Government

• expansion of voting rights

• increased emphasis on States rights