Unifying the States
What 1777 document first loosely united the 13 states and served as the U.S. national government during the Revolutionary War era?
Articles of Confederation
What large region did Britain cede to the United States in the Treaty of Paris (1783) that became known as the Northwest Territory?
The Northwest Territory (land between the Ohio River, Appalachian Mountains, and Mississippi River — around the Great Lakes).
Under the Articles of Confederation, which level of government held most power: national or state?
State government
What compromise created a bicameral legislature with representation by population in one house and equal representation for states in the other?
The Great Compromise (Connecticut Compromise)
How many amendments are in the Bill of Rights?
Ten
Define "confederation" as used in the context of the Articles of Confederation.
A confederation is a group united in an alliance (loosely joined states).
Which ordinance (year) described how the Northwest Territory would be divided into townships and sections?
Land Ordinance of 1785
Give one reason why Congress could not easily pay war debts under the Articles.
Congress could not force states to pay taxes; no reliable federal revenue.
What was the Three-Fifths Compromise?
Counting three out of five enslaved people for representation and taxation purposes.
Name two freedoms protected by the First Amendment.
Examples: freedom of speech, freedom of religion (also press, assembly, petition)
Name two political challenges the new nation faced after independence that made unifying the states difficult.
Examples: creating one national government from 13 sovereign states; balancing state vs. national power; establishing fair representation.
Under the Land Ordinance of 1785, what was one specific purpose for reserving sections of land within a township?
One section in each township was reserved for schools.
Identify two specific powers Congress lacked that made national policy, trade, or security difficult to manage.
Could not regulate trade; could not establish a national currency; no national army without states’ permission.
Explain the compromise reached about how U.S. senators would be chosen (who chose them originally).
Senators were originally chosen by state legislatures (not by popular vote).
Which amendment guarantees the right to a speedy and public trial and counsel for the accused?
Sixth Amendment
Explain why many Americans initially preferred a weak central government under the Articles rather than a strong national government.
They feared a powerful central government like Britain’s monarchy and wanted to protect state/local authority.
List the three steps, in order, by which a territory could become a state under the Northwest Ordinance of 1787.
Step 1: Congress appointed leaders (governor, secretary, judges). Step 2: At 5,000 free adult males, residents could elect leaders. Step 3: At 60,000 free people, territory could apply for statehood.
Explain how the requirement to have unanimous consent to amend the Articles made governing harder.
Every state had to agree to change the Articles, making reform nearly impossible.
Describe the compromise that produced the Electoral College and why delegates supported it.
The Electoral College assigns electors equal to each state’s total congressional representation; it balanced concerns about direct popular election vs. congressional selection.
What do the 9th and 10th Amendments generally protect or reserve?
The 9th protects rights not listed from being denied; the 10th reserves powers not delegated to the federal government to the states or the people.
Describe how social and regional differences (including views on slavery) affected efforts to form a unified national government.
Regional economies and cultural differences (North vs. South), including dependence on slavery in the South, made compromises and national policies difficult.
Explain how the Land Ordinances and Northwest Ordinance helped the federal government solve both political control and financial problems after the Revolution.
They provided orderly settlement, created revenue by selling land to pay debts, and set rules for territories becoming states—thus stabilizing expansion and finances.
Describe how events such as Shays' Rebellion revealed weaknesses in the national government under the Articles and pushed leaders toward calling a Constitutional Convention.
Shays' Rebellion showed the national government could not maintain order or address economic distress; leaders concluded a stronger national government was needed.
Explain how the promise to add a Bill of Rights helped secure enough state ratifications for the new Constitution.
Federalists agreed to add a Bill of Rights after ratification; this promise convinced enough states to ratify.
Choose one amendment from the Bill of Rights (other than the First) and explain in 2–3 sentences why it was important to the Anti-Federalists’ concerns.
Example: Fourth Amendment (protection against unreasonable searches and seizures) — important because it limits government power to intrude on citizens’ privacy and addresses Anti-Federalist fears of a too-powerful central government.