Government & Documents
100: This 1777 plan for a national government created a loose union of the states.
100: The Articles of Confederation.
100: One strength: it brought the states together and created this to handle shared issues.
100: It created a common legislature to address issues facing the new nation.
100: Under the Articles, Congress had no power to do this to raise money (two words).
100: The power to tax (Congress could not tax).
100: The territory was bordered by the Ohio River, the Appalachian Mountains, and this major river to the west.
100: The Mississippi River.
100: This 1786–87 protest by indebted farmers in Massachusetts drew attention to weaknesses of the Articles.
100: Shays’ Rebellion.
200: The Articles created a one-house legislature called this.
200: The Congress of the Confederation (unicameral legislature).
200: The Articles established departments to manage certain business between states. Give one example of such business mentioned in the text.
200: Mail delivery (established departments to oversee business such as mail).
200: Congress could not regulate this between states, which made trade difficult.
200: Trade (Congress had no power to regulate trade between the states).
200: According to the Northwest Ordinance, Congress could divide the Northwest Territory into how many territories (range)?
200: Three to five separate territories.
200: This former enslaved woman sued for her freedom in Massachusetts and won after the state constitution declared all people free and equal.
200: Elizabeth Freeman (also known as Mum Bett).
300: The Articles required this many state votes to pass a law (out of 13).
300: Nine out of 13 votes (supermajority).
300: The Articles ensured that when citizens traveled between states they had the same what?
300: The same rights (citizens traveling had the same rights).
300: Changes to the Articles required this level of consent from the states (describe).
300: Unanimous consent (all 13 states had to agree).
300: Name one step required for a territory to apply for statehood under the Northwest Ordinance (state one of the three steps).
300: Step 1: Congress would appoint leaders (governor, secretary, three judges); Step 2: At 5,000 free adult males, residents could elect political leaders; Step 3: At 60,000 free people, they could hold a constitutional convention and apply for statehood. (any one accepted)
300: Name one early abolitionist author from the text whose autobiography helped the movement in Britain and the U.S.
300: Olaudah Equiano.
400: Name two things the national government DID NOT have under the Articles (two-part answer).
400: No president (executive branch) and no national court system (judicial branch).
400: The Northwest Ordinance is listed as a major success under the Articles. State one reason why (short answer).
400: It provided a system to manage disputed land claims and govern new territory (Northwest Ordinance).
400: Why was it a problem that each state had one vote in Congress? (short answer)
400: It was unfair because states with much larger populations had the same single vote as smaller states.
400: At what population could a territory call a Constitutional Convention and apply for statehood? Give the number.
400: Sixty thousand free people.
400: This free Black astronomer and mathematician sent a letter and almanac to Thomas Jefferson arguing against slavery. Name him.
400: Benjamin Banneker.
500: Explain why the states preferred a weak national government after the Revolution (short answer).
500: They had just overthrown a distant, powerful government (Great Britain) and feared a strong national government that might threaten people’s natural rights; states wanted to keep power over local affairs.
500: How did the Northwest Ordinance affect slavery in the territories? (short answer)
500: The Northwest Ordinance outlawed slavery in the Northwest Territory — first federal legislation to do so.
500: Describe two problems the national government faced because it lacked an executive and judicial branch (two-part answer).
500: No executive meant no single leader to enforce laws or supervise government; no judicial meant no national courts to interpret laws or settle disputes between states.
500: Explain how the Northwest Ordinance set a precedent for the rights of Black Americans (short answer).
500: It outlawed slavery in the Northwest Territory, setting a precedent for protecting the rights of Black Americans.
500: Describe one reason why early abolitionists worked at the state level instead of pushing for a national end to slavery (short answer).
500: Because the Articles gave power over slavery to each state (not the national government), abolitionists focused on ending slavery state by state where laws and courts could be used effectively.