Articles of Confederation
What was the main purpose of the Articles of Confederation?
to create a government while keeping most power with the states
Who led Shays’ Rebellion?
Daniel Shays
Where did the Constitutional Convention take place?
Philadelphia
This compromise created a two-house legislature: one based on population, one with equal votes
The Great Compromise
True or False — All Americans gained equal rights under the new Constitution.
False
Who held most of the power under the Articles of Confederation?
State governments.
Shays’ Rebellion was led by what group of people?
Farmers in debt
Why did delegates meet at the Convention?
To fix the Articles of Confederation
This compromise allowed enslaved people to count toward representation, even though they could not vote.
The 3/5 Compromise
Which groups were left out of rights and protections in the new Constitution?
Enslaved people, Indigenous people, and women
Identify one weakness of the national government under the Articles.
The national government was weak and could not tax, regulate trade, or enforce laws.
What problem caused these farmers to rebel in Massachusetts?
High taxes, debt, and foreclosures
What new system of government replaced the Articles?
The U.S. Constitution with three branches
Which compromise was most important to the Constitution and Why ?
The Great Compromise—it balanced large and small state interests.
How does separation of powers prevent tyranny?
Each branch has separate powers to prevent one branch from becoming too powerful.
Compare state vs national power under the Articles.
States had most of the power; the national government had very limited authority.
Some Americans saw the rebellion as dangerous, while others saw it as healthy. What did each side believe?
Dangerous = Articles too weak
Healthy = people expressing liberty.
How were disagreements at the convention usually resolved?
Through compromises
Which group pushed for the Bill of Rights to be added to the Constitution?
The Anti-Federalists
What was the purpose of the Bill of Rights?
To protect individual liberties against government power
Why did Americans purposely make the Articles weak after the Revolution?
Fear of tyranny or a strong central government like Britain
How did Shays’ Rebellion reveal weaknesses in the Articles?
It showed that the national government was too weak to maintain order.
What was George Washington’s role at the Convention?
Presiding Officer / President of the Convention
How did the Great Compromise combine the Virginia Plan and the New Jersey Plan?
By creating a Senate with equal votes and a House of Representatives based on population
List two freedoms protected in the Bill of Rights.
Freedom of speech, religion, press, assembly, petition (and others).