Unit 3: Topic 7 - The Articles of Confederation Flashcards
What is the legislative branch?
The legislative branch is a government division responsible for making laws.
Why did the Articles of Confederation focus power on the legislative branch?
The Articles of Confederation were created by many of the same people who made the state constitutions, which focused primary power on the legislative branch.
This new nation feared consolidation of power in one person since that would resemble a monarchy. The legislature was directly answerable to the states and, thus, the people to remove fears of monarchical power.
How were states represented in the Articles of Confederation?
The Articles of Confederation had a legislature representing each state equally with one vote.
Each state had veto power over any changes to the Articles of Confederation, and 9/13 states had to agree in order for change. (This super-majority is very difficult to achieve, making changing the Articles challenging).
What powers did the Articles of Confederation provide to the states?
The states had the ability to enforce laws, regulate commerce, administer justice, and levy taxes.
What were the Articles of Confederation?
The Articles of Confederation served as the first constitution of the United States. It established functions of the national government of the U.S. after it declared independence from Great Britain.
What powers did the Articles of Confederation provide to the federal government?
The federal government had the power to declare war, sign treaties, and settle disputes between the states.
What was Shays’s Rebellion?
Shays’s Rebellion was an armed uprising in Massachusetts between 1786-1787. The rebellion stemmed from a post-Revolutionary War depression and a shortage of hard money that left western farmers in danger of losing their land because of their inability to pay debts and taxes.
Thousands of farmers headed to the arsenal to arm themselves but were overpowered by a privately funded Massachusetts militia.
Why was Shays’s Rebellion a significant event?
Shays’s Rebellion proved to many Americans that the Articles of Confederation was a weak and flawed document that needed replacing. It demonstrated why the federal government required strengthening to prevent future uprisings since it could not effectively put down this internal rebellion.
What were the weaknesses of the Articles of Confederation?
The Articles of Confederation only consisted of a legislative branch, so it lacked central leadership from an executive branch and a national court system from a judicial branch.
The legislative branch itself was weak. Congress could not enforce its laws, regulate trade, or tax. There was no national currency or national army.
Each state had an equal vote despite the differing populations. Adding amendments to the Articles required unanimity, and passing laws required 9/13 states to agree, so any changes or additions were difficult.
What were some strengths and accomplishments of the Articles of Confederation?
Under the Articles, the government could sign treaties such as the treaty of alliance with France in 1778. It negotiated an end to the American Revolution with the Treaty of Paris, signed in 1783.
The government also passed the Northwest Ordinance of 1787. This was considered one of the only major accomplishments under the Articles of Confederation.
Its biggest strength was its ability to unite all thirteen original states to establish a common legislature.
Why was the Northwest Ordinance of 1787 created?
Large amounts of American settlers were moving westward and encroaching upon Indigenous land. The Northwest Ordinance of 1787 was created to regulate this westward territory.
What did the Northwest Ordinance of 1787 do?
The Northwest Ordinance of 1787 abolished slavery in the northwest territory and provided a means by which western territories could apply for statehood into the union. It also promoted public education and provided provisions for private property.
