Articles of Confederation Flashcards

Questions and Answers

Who created the Articles of Confederation?

The Second Continental Congress

What was the purpose of the Articles of Confederation?

To plan the structure of the new government and to create a confederation

Why was each state only having one vote a problem?

It allowed smaller states to override larger ones, which was unfair

What was the main power of the Congress?

To make laws Signup and view all the answers

What happened because Congress had no power to collect taxes?

The government was always short of money Signup and view all the answers

What happened because Congress had no power to enforce laws?

States only enforced laws they wanted to have Signup and view all the answers

What happened because there was no executive branch?

There was no one to enforce the laws Signup and view all the answers

What was the key problem of the Articles of Confederation?

A weak central government Signup and view all the answers

What did the central government do?

Kept power in the hands of the state government Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Creation of the Articles

Created by the Second Continental Congress as the nation's first constitution.

Purpose

Aimed to establish the structure of the new government and form a confederation to unite the states.

Voting Issues

Each state had one vote, leading to unequal representation; smaller states could dominate decision-making despite larger populations.

Congressional Authority

Congress had the power to make laws, but lacked enforcement capabilities.

Taxation Challenges

Congress could not collect taxes, resulting in financial instability; states could choose the amount they wished to pay.

Law Enforcement Limitations

Absence of power to enforce laws meant states enforced only those laws they chose, undermining national governance.

Executive Branch Absence

No executive branch existed, resulting in a lack of enforcement for national laws.

Central Government Weakness

The primary issue was a weak central government that could not effectively govern or respond to issues.

State Power

The central government was designed to keep most authority with state governments, leading to fragmentation and inefficiency.

Description

Test your knowledge of the Articles of Confederation with these flashcards. Learn about the creation, purpose, and structure of this foundational government document. Ideal for students and history enthusiasts alike.