Understanding the Articles of Confederation

How was the authors’ intentions for documents A and B different from the artists’ intention for document C?

• A and B were written for individuals, C was created to influence the public.

• A and B were written by national figures, C was created by an unknown artist.

• A and B were written against the Articles of Confederation, C was created in support of the Articles.

• A and B were written to support the Articles of Confederation, C was created in opposition to the Articles.

Read this sentence from document A. “Congress, meanwhile, is a body of no importance, as its ordinances are little attended to.” What is Washington claiming about the Congress under the Articles of Confederation?

• It could not raise money.

• It could not form an army.

• Its laws were not followed.

• It could not help Massachusetts.

What is the common argument between all three documents?

• The Confederation Congress did not receive the respect it deserved.

• The Articles of Confederation were too weak to lead the United States.

• Shays’ Rebellion could have caused civil war within the United States.

• The lack of a national treasury put the United States at risk from foreign countries.

How credible are the authors of documents A and B?

• Credible – they are scholars of early American history.

• Not credible – they are biased in their views of government.

• Credible – they were important leaders in the early government.

• Not credible – they are unknown and could have a distorted view.

Which sentence from the documents supports the argument that Shays’ Rebellion had an affect on the support for the Articles of Confederation?

• “Our treasury and our credit are in a sad situation.”

• “If this lawlessness soon spreads to other States it will be a problem.”

• “Jealousy between states and local concerns are too present in all our public councils.”

• “Congress, meanwhile, is a body of no importance, as its ordinances are little attended to.”

Read this sentence from document A. “In a word, the confederation appears to me to be little more than a shadow without substance.” What tone is created by the language in this sentence?

• angry

• critical

• cheerful

• optimistic

Which phrase from the documents is a statement of fact?

• “No National Court System.” (document C)

• “a spirit of lawlessness has infected Massachusetts.” (document B)

• “good government of the Union [is] nearly impossible.” (document A)

• “it seems a serious political mistake that we should confederate as a nation” (document A)

According to the information in Document D, which two states were most likely to support representation in the new Congress based on population?

• Delaware and Georgia

• Massachusetts and Virginia

• Delaware and Rhode Island

• Connecticut and South Carolina

According to the information in Document D, which two states were most likely to support representation in the new Congress based on equal representation?

• Delaware and Georgia

• Massachusetts and Virginia

• Delaware and Rhode Island

• Connecticut and South Carolina

This was our nation's first Constitution but failed because it gave all the power to the states. 

• Articles of Confederation
• Treaty of Paris 
• Declaration of Independence
• U.S. Constitution