Articles of Confederation

The Articles of Confederation was important because it –

• created a means for establishing the executive branch

• provided every citizen in America the right to vote

• enabled each of the 13 states to make separate treaties with foreign nations

• was the first form of government for America

Why did Daniel Shays lead a rebellion?

• to get money for himself

• Massachusetts state government confiscated farms if taxes weren't paid.

• He wanted a new country

What was the MAIN problem with the Articles of Confederation?

• They had too many laws.

• The Articles were too strong.

• The Articles were too weak.

What was one EFFECT of a weak government?

• They could not write a constitution.

• They could not raise money.

• People went to war.

We still use the Articles of Confederation today.

• True

• False

Since the Articles were weak and the nation had problems, _____________.

• They decided to be a colony again.

• They met again to make a new plan.

• They added on more ordinances.

Who had more power with the Articles of Confederation?

• National Governments

• State Governments

The reason the Articles of Confederation only established the legislative branch was to -  

• show the importance of a representative legislature to foreign nations

• keep power out of the hands of the courts

• ensure the government would not become too powerful

• give the legislature supreme rule over all the states

One negative effect of the Articles of Confederation was that-  

• all citizens did not have the right to vote

• the Supreme Court held ultimate power over the government

• unalienable rights of the people were revoked

• no executive branch was provided to enforce the laws

The Articles of Confederation did not allow the federal government to tax citizens.  This led to -

• states taxing their citizens then giving all their funds to the federal government

• the federal government seizing lands from Loyalist during the American Revolution to generate revenue

•    the federal government being unable to pay off its war debts

• a protest by members of congress because of their lack of funding