Unit 1 Topic 2 Articles of Confederation *

The cartoon shows Congress as a carriage stuck in the mud. What is the main message of this cartoon?

• Congress was too powerful under the Articles

• Congress had little power to enforce laws, taxes, or raise an army, making the government weak

• Congress successfully moved the country forward

• Congress controlled both state and national governments

Based on the timeline, which event showed the need to replace the Articles of Confederation with a stronger Constitution?

• Philadelphia Mutiny

• Declaration of Independence

• Shays’ Rebellion

• Ratification of the Articles

According to the excerpt, where does government get its power?

• From the king

• From the consent of the governed (the people)

• From Congress

• From state legislatures

Article II states each state retains “sovereignty, freedom and independence.” What does this show about the Articles?

• States gave up most power to Congress

• States kept most power for themselves, making the central government weak

• States were forced to follow national laws strictly

• States had no rights compared to the president

What was the purpose of the Declaration of Independence?

• To write the first U.S. Constitution

• To explain why the colonies were breaking away from Britain

• To establish three branches of government

• To form the Confederacy

Which grievance best shows why colonists rejected British taxation?

• “For imposing taxes on us without our consent”

• “For granting us equal rights with Parliament”

• “For allowing us to trade freely”

• “For protecting our property”

What was the main purpose of the Articles of Confederation?

• To create a monarchy

• To unite the 13 states in a “league of friendship”

• To enforce strict national laws

• To establish a president with strong powers

Why was Congress weak under the Articles?

• It had too much control over the states

• It could not collect taxes, enforce laws, or raise an army

• It abolished state governments

• It had too many branches

How many branches of government existed under the Articles?

• Three

• Two

• One (Congress only)

• Four

What problem did the lack of a national court system cause?

• Courts became too powerful

• Disputes between states could not be resolved fairly

• Judges controlled the economy

• Congress was abolished