Basics of the Articles
What was the first national government of the United States called?
The Articles of Confederation
Name one power Congress DID have under the Articles.
declare war, make treaties, manage western lands, borrow money
Could Congress tax the states under the Articles?
no
What state did Shays’ Rebellion take place in?
Massachusetts
What meeting was held in 1787 to fix the Articles?
The Constitutional Convention
Under the Articles, what was the only branch of government?
The legislative branch (Congress)
Could Congress declare war under the Articles? (Yes or No)
Yes
What branch was missing that made enforcing laws difficult?
No executive branch.
Why were the farmers, including Daniel Shays, angry?
High taxes, debt, and the threat of losing their farms
Why did the delegates decide to write a whole new Constitution instead of fixing the Articles?
The Articles were too weak to fix; they needed an entirely new system
How many votes did each state get in Congress under the Articles?
One vote per state
What power related to land was granted to Congress under the Articles?
300: They could organize and sell western lands (Land Ordinance/Northwest Territory)
What branch was missing that made settling disputes between states difficult?
No judicial branch
How did Shays’ Rebellion show the government was too weak?
The national government had no army or power to stop the rebellion
What compromise helped create a stronger Congress during the Constitutional Convention?
The Great (Connecticut) Compromise
Why did the Founders intentionally create a weak national government?
They feared a strong central government like Britain
Why was it difficult for Congress to pass laws under the Articles?
It required 9 out of 13 states to approve a law
Why did the Articles make it difficult to regulate trade between states?
Congress couldn’t regulate interstate commerce (trade between states)
What did many leaders, like George Washington, fear after the rebellion?
That the nation could collapse without a stronger government
In the Constitution, what power does the federal government now have that it lacked under the Articles?
The power to tax (others accepted: enforce laws, regulate trade, create executive & judicial branches)
What major event in 1786 convinced many Americans that the Articles were too weak?
Shays’ Rebellion
Because Congress could NOT tax; had to request money from states
Because Congress could NOT tax; had to request money from states
Why did changing (amending) the Articles almost never happen?
Amendments required unanimous approval of all 13 states
How did Shays’ Rebellion directly lead to the Constitutional Convention?
It convinced leaders that the Articles were too weak and needed to be replaced.
Name TWO major differences between the Articles and the Constitution.
Constitution created 3 branches; Articles had 1,
Federal government could tax; Articles could not,
Constitution had stronger federal power; Articles were too weak,
Constitution created a president; Articles did not,
Constitution allowed easier amendments