Articles of Confederation
What was the main purpose of the Articles of Confederation?
to create a government while keeping most power with the states
Shays’ Rebellion was led by what group of people?
Farmers in debt
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
This law passed under the Articles created a process for admitting new states and banned slavery in the Northwest Territory.
The Northwest Ordinance
What problem caused these farmers to rebel in Massachusetts?
High taxes, debt, and foreclosures
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
Name one major weakness of the Articles that hurt the economy.
no power to tax / no national currency / no power over interstate trade
How did the Massachusetts government respond to the rebellion?
Send in the militia to put it down
What new system of government replaced the Articles?
The U.S. Constitution with three branches
What issue did the framers agree to leave untouched until 1808?
The International Slave Trade
Why did the Framers choose not to outlaw slavery in the Constitution?
They needed southern states to support ratification
What did the Articles not include that made enforcing laws difficult?
An executive branch and a national court system
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.
Who kept detailed notes of the Convention, earning the nickname “Father of the Constitution”
James Madison
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
Why did Shays’ Rebellion convince leaders to call for a new Constitution?
The Articles could not keep order or protect property
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
How did property and landownership affect who had political power in the early United States?
Only property-owning white men gained full participation in government