American History Articles of Confederation Quiz

Podcast

Play an AI-generated podcast conversation about this lesson

Questions and Answers

What was the main reason the government under the Articles of Confederation was considered deficient?

The government had too much control over states.

The government wasn't able to collect taxes effectively. (correct)

The government was too powerful.

The government was not able to regulate foreign trade effectively. (correct)

According to Hobbes, what would life be like without a strong central authority?

A time of peace and prosperity

A time of constant conflict and violence (correct)

A time of cooperation and harmony

A time of complete chaos and anarchy

Which of the following was NOT a reason why the Articles of Confederation were replaced by the U.S. Constitution?

Lack of power to regulate trade

Lack of a strong central authority

Lack of power to tax

Lack of a Bill of Rights

Lack of a national currency (correct)

According to Hobbes, what should people sacrifice in exchange for protection and security provided by a strong government?

Their freedom Signup and view all the answers

What did John Locke believe was a fundamental natural right?

The right to property Signup and view all the answers

What type of authority did Hobbes believe was necessary to maintain peace and order?

An absolute ruler Signup and view all the answers

What was a key problem with the Articles of Confederation's lack of power to tax?

It made it difficult to finance national defense and other essential services. Signup and view all the answers

Which social contract theorist believed that individuals should give up some of their freedom in exchange for protection and security?

Thomas Hobbes Signup and view all the answers

What was the primary purpose of the Supremacy Clause?

To ensure that federal law overrides conflicting state laws Signup and view all the answers

What problem did the Articles of Confederation fail to address that the Constitution successfully resolved?

The need for a strong executive branch Signup and view all the answers

Which of these is NOT a key point about Article VI of the US Constitution?

State laws can override federal laws when they conflict. Signup and view all the answers

What is the significance of Article VII of the Constitution?

It outlined the processes for approving and amending the Constitution. Signup and view all the answers

One major advantage of the Constitution over the Articles of Confederation was its ability to:

Adapt to future challenges through amendments. Signup and view all the answers

What did the author believe was the main purpose of government?

To protect the natural rights of its citizens. Signup and view all the answers

What happens if a government violates the natural rights of its citizens?

The people have the right to overthrow it. Signup and view all the answers

What does the term "elastic clause" refer to?

A clause in the Constitution that gives Congress broad power to make laws necessary to carry out its duties. Signup and view all the answers

What is the main purpose of the elastic clause?

To ensure that the government can respond to unexpected challenges and changes. Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is NOT mentioned as a characteristic of a direct democracy?

Citizens elect representatives to make decisions on their behalf. Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary distinction between a direct democracy and a representative democracy?

The way in which citizens participate in decision-making. Signup and view all the answers

What is a key characteristic of federalism?

A system of government where power is divided between a central government and smaller political units. Signup and view all the answers

What is the main advantage of federalism?

It allows for local control of certain issues while maintaining national unity. Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary function of Article I of the Constitution?

Creates Congress and its powers Signup and view all the answers

Which power is NOT granted to Congress under Article I?

Appoint federal judges Signup and view all the answers

What does Article II of the Constitution primarily establish?

The presidency and its powers Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is a responsibility of the executive branch as outlined in Article II?

Making treaties Signup and view all the answers

What is the significance of Article III?

It establishes the Supreme Court and judicial powers Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is true regarding Article IV?

It discusses inter-state relationships and federal protection Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following accurately describes the amendment process outlined in Article V?

Amendments must be ratified by three-fourths of the states Signup and view all the answers

What is a key aspect of the checks and balances system provided by Article III?

The interpretation of laws and their constitutionality Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Quiz 1

Articles of Confederation Deficiencies:
- Lack of central authority: No president or executive branch to enforce laws.
- Inability to tax: The federal government couldn't tax the states, hindering funding for defense, infrastructure, and essential services. Reliance on voluntary contributions from the states made funding difficult.
- Inability to regulate foreign trade: States could independently create trade agreements with other states and foreign countries, and this led to economic instability and hindered the growth of a national economy. States imposed conflicting tariffs, making trade relations difficult and creating inconsistencies.

Thomas Hobbes:
- Believed in the necessity of strong central authority to prevent a state of nature (constant conflict) and that humans need a ruler to avoid conflict.
John Locke:
- Believed in natural rights (life, liberty, property).
- Believed people consent to be governed in exchange for the government protecting their rights.

direct democracy: all citizens participate in decision-making (voting). All eligible citizens are involved in making decisions (voting for laws and policies). There is no representative body. The people rule directly.
Representative Democracy: Citizens elect representatives to govern on their behalf. (Ex: The United States).
Monarchy: Ruled by a king or queen with absolute power. (Ex: Britain under King George III).

Elastic Clause (Necessary and Proper Clause)

Definition: A part of the U.S. Constitution giving Congress the power to make laws necessary to carry out its enumerated powers even if not specifically listed in the Constitution.
Importance: Allows the Constitution to adapt to new circumstances and challenges. It makes the Constitution adaptable to new situations by covering things not explicitly mentioned in the original Constitution. This flexibility allows the government to act decisively in response to evolving needs.

Federalism

Definition: A system of government in which power is divided between a central (national) government and smaller political units (like states or provinces) or other levels of government.
Purpose: Distributes power locally and nationally to address issues impacting the entire country and individual states.

Articles of the Constitution

Article I (Legislative Branch): Creates Congress (Senate and House of Representatives) with the power to make laws, regulate commerce, declare war, and collect taxes.
Article II (Executive Branch): Establishes the presidency and outlines the president's powers and responsibilities (e.g., enforcing laws, commander-in-chief of the military, making treaties).
Article III (Judicial Branch): Establishes the Supreme Court and other federal courts. Interprets laws, decides on their constitutionality, and resolves disputes between states and the federal government.
Article IV (State Relationships): Defines how states should interact with each other and the federal government, including mutual respect for laws. Federal guarantee of protection for states. Establishes unity among states.
Article V (Amendments): Outlines the process for amending the Constitution (proposed by Congress or a convention).
Article VI (Supremacy Clause): Establishes that the Constitution, federal laws, and treaties are the supreme law of the land (federal law overrules state laws).
Article VII (Ratification): Explains how the Constitution was to be approved.

Studying That Suits You

Use AI to generate personalized quizzes and flashcards to suit your learning preferences.

Description

Test your knowledge on the deficiencies of the Articles of Confederation and the perspectives of key social contract theorists like Thomas Hobbes and John Locke. This quiz will challenge your understanding of the foundational issues that shaped early American government. Assess your grasp of significant historical concepts and their implications.