The Articles of Confederation: The First Constitution of the United States

Question 1

Who is credited as the primary author of the Articles of Confederation?

Accepted Answer

John Dickinson

Answer

Thomas Jefferson

Answer

George Washington

Answer

Benjamin Franklin

Question 2

What was the primary goal of the Articles of Confederation?

Accepted Answer

To create a loose alliance of independent states.

Answer

To declare independence from Great Britain.

Answer

To create a democratic republic.

Answer

To establish a powerful central government.

Question 3

Which of the following is considered the most significant weakness of the Articles of Confederation?

Accepted Answer

Its inability to generate revenue.

Answer

Its lack of a national executive.

Answer

Its restriction on the size of the military.

Question 4

Which key figure played a leading role in the movement to revise the Articles of Confederation?

Accepted Answer

Alexander Hamilton

Answer

John Adams

Answer

Patrick Henry

Answer

Samuel Adams

Question 5

Under the Articles of Confederation, what was the primary responsibility of the Congress?

Accepted Answer

To make laws and conduct foreign affairs on behalf of the nation.

Answer

To enforce laws and collect taxes.

Answer

To elect the president and vice president.

Answer

To declare war and raise armies.

Question 6

Which of the following was NOT a state under the Articles of Confederation?

Accepted Answer

Vermont

Answer

South Carolina

Answer

Virginia

Answer

Pennsylvania

Question 7

What was the main purpose of the Northwest Ordinance of 1787?

Accepted Answer

To establish a process for organizing and governing the Northwest Territory.

Answer

To abolish slavery in the Northwest Territory.

Answer

To grant land to settlers in the Northwest Territory.

Question 8

How many states needed to ratify the Articles of Confederation before it could go into effect?

Accepted Answer

Thirteen

Answer

Nine

Answer

Eleven

Answer

Seven

Question 9

Which of the following was a strength of the Articles of Confederation?

Accepted Answer

It protected individual liberties and limited the power of the national government.

Answer

It gave the national government excessive power over the states.

Answer

It ensured a strong and well-equipped military.

Answer

It promoted rapid economic growth and prosperity.

Question 10

What was the primary reason for the failure of the Articles of Confederation?

Accepted Answer

The national government was too weak and lacked the authority to effectively address the challenges facing the new nation.

Answer

The people were not supportive of the government and its policies.

Answer

The states were too powerful and resisted the authority of the national government.

Answer

The economy was in a state of decline and the government was unable to address the economic crisis.

Question 11

Which of the following was NOT a provision of the Articles of Confederation?

Accepted Answer

The national government had the power to veto state laws.

Answer

The national government could regulate interstate commerce.

Answer

The national government could make treaties with foreign nations.

Answer

The national government could borrow money.

Question 12

What was the purpose of Shays' Rebellion?

Accepted Answer

To protest economic inequality, high taxes, and the inability of the government to address the needs of the people.

Answer

To demand independence from Great Britain.

Answer

To support the Articles of Confederation and strengthen the national government.

Question 13

Which of the following historical figures played a significant role in the development and implementation of the Articles of Confederation?

Accepted Answer

George Washington

Answer

Martin Luther King, Jr.

Answer

Abraham Lincoln

Answer

Thomas Jefferson

Question 14

Which of the following was a significant structural weakness of the Articles of Confederation?

Accepted Answer

It lacked the authority to levy taxes.

Answer

It established a robust executive branch.

Answer

It provided for a bicameral legislature.

Answer

It created an independent judicial system.

Question 15

Under the Articles of Confederation, how many votes did each state possess in Congress?

Accepted Answer

One

Answer

Proportional to its population

Answer

Based on its economic output

Answer

Two

Question 16

Which historical event starkly revealed the inherent weaknesses of the Articles of Confederation?

Accepted Answer

Shays' Rebellion

Answer

The Battle of Saratoga

Answer

The Treaty of Paris

Answer

The Constitutional Convention

Question 17

What was the primary objective of the Constitutional Convention?

Accepted Answer

To revise and strengthen the Articles of Confederation

Answer

To ratify the Treaty of Paris

Answer

To elect the first President of the United States

Answer

To declare independence from Great Britain

Question 18

Which key change introduced by the Constitution effectively addressed a major weakness of the Articles of Confederation?

Accepted Answer

The establishment of a robust central government with the authority to impose taxes

Answer

The creation of a unicameral legislature

Answer

The abolition of the Electoral College

Question 19

How did the Articles of Confederation distribute power between the central government and the states?

Accepted Answer

The states retained most of the power, with the central government holding limited authority.

Answer

Power was equally divided between the central government and the states.

Answer

The central government possessed more power than the states.

Question 20

Identify a key difference between the Articles of Confederation and the Constitution regarding the amendment process.

Accepted Answer

The Articles of Confederation required unanimous approval for amendments, while the Constitution required only a two-thirds majority.

Answer

The Articles of Confederation established a three-branch government, while the Constitution established a two-branch government.

Question 21

What fundamental flaw led to the failure of the Articles of Confederation as a system of government?

Accepted Answer

It granted excessive power to the states and insufficient power to the central government.

Answer

It was too authoritarian and did not protect individual rights.

Answer

It was too democratic and did not allow for strong leadership.

Question 22

Which provision within the Articles of Confederation reflects the concern about the potential tyranny of a strong central government?

Accepted Answer

The requirement for unanimous approval of amendments

Answer

The establishment of a bicameral legislature

Answer

The creation of a powerful executive branch

Question 23

What was the primary objective of the Articles of Confederation?

Accepted Answer

To create a loose alliance among independent states.

Answer

To establish a strong, unified national government.

Answer

To secure the United States' independence from British rule.

Question 24

Which provision was included in the Articles of Confederation?

Accepted Answer

Each state had an equal vote in the governing Congress.

Answer

The President was elected by popular vote.

Answer

The Constitution was established as the supreme law of the land.

Answer

The central government held veto power over state legislation.

Question 25

What was the primary objective of the Articles of Confederation?

Accepted Answer

Establish a loose alliance between sovereign states

Answer

Create a dominant central government

Answer

Declare independence from British rule

Answer

Ratify the Constitution

Question 26

What was the primary lesson learned from Shays' Rebellion?

Accepted Answer

Exposed the inability of the Articles of Confederation to maintain order

Answer

Necessitated the creation of a strong military

Answer

Accelerated the adoption of the Constitution

Question 27

Who played a pivotal role in drafting the Articles of Confederation?

Accepted Answer

John Dickinson

Answer

Thomas Jefferson

Answer

Alexander Hamilton

Answer

James Madison

Question 28

Which state was the final holdout in ratifying the Articles of Confederation?

Accepted Answer

Maryland

Answer

Pennsylvania

Answer

Massachusetts

Answer

Virginia

Question 29

What was the primary catalyst for the replacement of the Articles of Confederation by the Constitution?

Accepted Answer

Inability to effectively address the needs of the growing nation

Answer

Excessive power wielded by the national government

Answer

Foreign interference in American affairs

Question 30

Which feature of the Constitution was specifically designed to address the weaknesses of the Articles of Confederation?

Accepted Answer

Establishment of a stronger national government

Answer

Abolition of state governments

Answer

Creation of a central bank

Answer

Implementation of a unicameral legislature

Question 31

What was the primary significance of the Land Ordinance of 1785?

Accepted Answer

Established a system for surveying and selling western lands

Answer

Abolished slavery in the Northwest Territory

Answer

Granted citizenship to Native Americans

Question 32

Which of the following is NOT a weakness of the Articles of Confederation?

Accepted Answer

It provided a clear and effective system for resolving disputes between states.

Answer

It required unanimous consent for amendments, making it difficult to change.

Answer

It lacked a national currency, leading to economic instability.

Question 33

What was the primary purpose of the Northwest Ordinance of 1787?

Accepted Answer

To establish a process for admitting new states to the Union and to regulate settlement in the Northwest Territory.

Answer

To create a standing army under the control of the Confederation Congress.

Answer

To abolish slavery in the newly acquired territories.

Question 34

What was a major factor contributing to Shay's Rebellion?

Accepted Answer

Farmers facing economic hardship due to high taxes, debt, and a lack of representation.

Answer

Native American tribes resisting westward expansion.

Answer

Slaves fighting for their freedom from oppression.

Question 35

What was a key reason for the failure of the Articles of Confederation?

Accepted Answer

The weak central government, which lacked the authority and resources to address the nation's challenges effectively.

Answer

The excessive power granted to the individual states.

Answer

The lack of foreign support.

Question 36

According to the Articles of Confederation, how was power distributed between the states and the central government?

Accepted Answer

States retained significant autonomy and power, while the central government had limited authority.

Answer

All states were required to abide by the decisions of the Confederation Congress.

Answer

A strong national government was established to ensure unity and stability.

Question 37

How did the Articles of Confederation address the issue of westward expansion?

Accepted Answer

Through the Northwest Ordinance, which established a process for admitting new states to the Union and regulating settlement in the Northwest Territory.

Answer

It prohibited settlement beyond the Appalachian Mountains.

Answer

It granted vast tracts of land to private companies for development.

Question 38

What was a significant difference between the Articles of Confederation and the Constitution in terms of the structure of government?

Accepted Answer

The Constitution established a stronger central government with divided powers, while the Articles created a weak central government with limited powers.

Answer

The Articles of Confederation were based on a system of checks and balances, while the Constitution was not.

Question 39

Which of the following best describes the impact of the Articles of Confederation on the development of the United States?

Accepted Answer

It provided a framework for national unity but ultimately exposed the weaknesses of the central government and led to the need for a stronger constitutional framework.

Answer

It established a strong and effective government that laid the groundwork for American prosperity.

Question 40

Under the Articles of Confederation, the central government lacked the authority to do which of the following?

Accepted Answer

Impose taxes directly on citizens.

Answer

Negotiate treaties.

Answer

Declare war.

Answer

Print money.

Question 41

Shays' Rebellion highlighted which problem with the Articles of Confederation?

Accepted Answer

The national government couldn't effectively handle internal unrest.

Answer

The national government lacked the power to declare war.

Answer

The national government had too much power over the states.

Question 42

Under the Articles of Confederation, how were disagreements between states usually resolved?

Accepted Answer

There was no effective way to resolve disputes between states.

Answer

The national government could step in and mediate between states.

Answer

A special court was set up to settle disagreements between states.

Question 43

Why was the Northwest Ordinance of 1787, passed under the Articles of Confederation, important?

Accepted Answer

It created a process for adding new states to the Union.

Answer

It gave the national government the power to regulate trade.

Answer

It established a national currency.

Question 44

What best describes the relationship between the states under the Articles of Confederation?

Accepted Answer

A loose alliance of independent states with a weak central government.

Answer

A system of regional governments with limited power.

Answer

A united nation with a strong central government.

Question 45

How did the experience of governing under the Articles of Confederation influence the creators of the Constitution?

Accepted Answer

It showed the need for a stronger central government to handle national problems.

Answer

It led them to believe that a monarchy was the best form of government.

Answer

It convinced them to keep a decentralized government with limited national power.

Question 46

Which of the following was a weakness of the Articles of Confederation?

Accepted Answer

It created a weak central government with limited powers.

Answer

It did not have a system for settling disputes between states.

Answer

It lacked a national currency, leading to economic instability.

Answer

It required unanimous consent for amendments, making it difficult to change.

Question 47

Under the Articles of Confederation, which level of government held the most power?

Accepted Answer

State governments

Answer

Local governments

Answer

National government

Question 48

What was a major reason for the failure of the Articles of Confederation?

Accepted Answer

It was unable to effectively address economic and political challenges facing the nation.

Answer

It lacked a system for electing representatives.

Answer

It failed to protect individual liberties.

Question 49

Which event demonstrated the weaknesses of the Articles of Confederation by showing the inability of the national government to maintain order?

Accepted Answer

Shay's Rebellion

Answer

The American Revolution

Answer

The Louisiana Purchase

Answer

The Boston Tea Party

Question 50

What was the primary goal of the Articles of Confederation?

Accepted Answer

To create a government that prevented a strong central authority like the British monarchy.

Answer

To establish a strong military to defend against foreign threats.

Answer

To create a unified national currency.

Question 51

How many states were required to agree to amend the Articles of Confederation?

Accepted Answer

13

Answer

9

Answer

5

Answer

7

Question 52

Which of these was a significant accomplishment of the Articles of Confederation?

Accepted Answer

The Northwest Ordinance, which established a process for admitting new states.

Answer

The establishment of a national bank.

Answer

The ratification of a Bill of Rights.

Question 53

Which document replaced the Articles of Confederation?

Accepted Answer

The United States Constitution

Answer

The Bill of Rights

Answer

The Treaty of Paris

Answer

The Declaration of Independence

Question 54

Why was the Articles of Confederation created?

Accepted Answer

The Founding Fathers feared creating a strong central government like the one they had just fought against.

Answer

Need for a strong military to defend against foreign threats.

Answer

Desire for a unified national currency.