2.2The Articles of Confederation WS

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Questions and Answers

What was the main problem with the Articles of Confederation according to the text?

Inability to enforce national laws

Difficulty in printing a national currency

Lack of power given to the national government (correct)

Issues with foreign affairs management

How did Shays' Rebellion impact the national government?

It showcased the effectiveness of the national government's response

It proved the stability of the Articles of Confederation

It demonstrated the inability to raise a national army (correct)

It highlighted the need for a stronger national judiciary

Why did wealthy individuals become frightened after Shays' Rebellion?

They were unsure about funding state governments

They worried about foreign affairs challenges

They were concerned about the stability of state banknotes

They feared poor men uprising against them (correct)

What did Congress call for in response to problems related to commerce?

A revision of the Articles of Confederation Signup and view all the answers

What was one of the major problems with the Articles of Confederation?

The central government had no power to impose taxes Signup and view all the answers

Why was it challenging for the national government to assist Massachusetts during Shays' Rebellion?

No power to raise an army Signup and view all the answers

Why did the Articles of Confederation lead to their undoing?

They created a central government that was too weak to function effectively Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following was a power granted to the Confederation Congress under the Articles of Confederation?

Exchange ambassadors and make treaties with foreign governments Signup and view all the answers

What was a consequence of the states issuing their own banknotes?

People unfamiliar with the banks refused to accept the banknotes. Signup and view all the answers

What was one limitation on delegates in the Congress appointed by state legislatures under the Articles of Confederation?

They could serve for more than three consecutive years Signup and view all the answers

Why did American producers suffer from foreign competition after the Revolution?

States imposed tariffs on goods from other states. Signup and view all the answers

What was a requirement for changing the Articles of Confederation under the original setup?

Approval by nine out of thirteen states Signup and view all the answers

What prevented the central government from imposing tariffs on foreign imports?

Absence of power to regulate interstate commerce. Signup and view all the answers

Why did state governments often interfere with their neighbors' trade?

To protect their own industries from outside competition. Signup and view all the answers

Why did the Articles of Confederation not prohibit states from issuing banknotes?

To give states more financial independence. Signup and view all the answers

Why did the Articles of Confederation allow only state governments to levy taxes?

To prevent the perception of 'taxation without representation.' Signup and view all the answers

What was a major consequence of the national government having to request money from states for funding?

States were often negligent in providing funds, leading to underfunding. Signup and view all the answers

Why was the currency issued by the central government, the Continental, largely worthless?

Because it was not backed by gold or silver reserves. Signup and view all the answers

How did the fiscal problems of the central government affect its ability to conduct foreign affairs?

It made it difficult to protect American ships from pirate attacks. Signup and view all the answers

Why were foreign governments reluctant to loan money to the new nation?

Due to concerns that the new nation might never repay the loans. Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Issues with the Articles of Confederation

Major flaws included lack of a strong central government, limiting its ability to govern effectively.
Congress could not impose taxes or regulate commerce, leading to financial instability and economic challenges.
Achieving consensus among states for amendments was extremely difficult, requiring unanimous approval.

Shays' Rebellion and Its Impact

Shays' Rebellion exposed weaknesses in the federal government, prompting calls for stronger national authority.
The uprising raised fears among wealthy individuals, who worried about potential uprisings and instability threatening their property and economic interests.

Response to Economic Problems

Congress called for a meeting to address issues related to commerce and economic regulation among states.
Delegates recognized the need to revise the Articles to better facilitate trade and manage debts.

Financial Constraints During Rebellion

The national government struggled to assist Massachusetts during Shays' Rebellion due to its inability to raise funds or muster troops effectively.

Consequences of State Independence

States issuing their own banknotes created confusion and undermined the national currency, leading to inflation and financial distrust.
The Continental currency lost its value, primarily due to overproduction and lack of backing.

Limitations on Delegates and Legislative Authority

Congress under the Articles of Confederation had limited power, such as the inability to levy taxes or regulate interstate commerce.
Delegates faced restrictions imposed by state legislatures, often limiting their effectiveness in addressing national concerns.

Economic Challenges Post-Revolution

American producers faced increased foreign competition due to the inability to impose tariffs on imports, leading to economic distress.
The lack of central authority meant that state governments could interfere with neighboring trade, exacerbating economic issues.

Amendment Difficulties and Foreign Relations

Changing the Articles required a consensus among all states, making it nearly impossible to adapt to changing needs.
Fiscal issues weakened the central government's ability to conduct foreign affairs, resulting in reluctance from foreign governments to extend loans.

Consequences of Tax Powers

The Articles only allowed state governments to levy taxes, severely restricting the national government’s funding capacity and autonomy.
This reliance on states for financial support led to inadequate resources for governing and responding to crises.

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Description

Learn about the structure and powers of the national government under the Articles of Confederation, and how it favored state autonomy over centralized power. Explore the authority granted to the Confederation Congress and the limitations placed on the central government.