America Under the Confederation

Question 1

Articles of Confederation (1781-1789)

Answer 1

First U.S. government; weak central power, strong state sovereignty.

Question 2

Northwest Ordinance (1787)

Answer 2

Established process for admitting new states and banned slavery in the Northwest Territory.

Question 3

Shays’ Rebellion (1786-1787)

Answer 3

Farmers in Massachusetts, led by Daniel Shays, protested debt and taxation, exposing weaknesses in the federal government.

Question 4

Lack of national authority

Answer 4

Congress couldn’t regulate commerce or impose taxes, leading to financial instability.

Question 5

Foreign threats

Answer 5

Britain maintained forts in U.S. territory; Spain restricted access to the Mississippi River.