Questions and Answers
After the colonists won independence from Britain, what was their main concern?
Which was a main reason for creating the Articles of Confederation?
What would be the federal government's biggest problem if a war was imminent?
Which responsibilities were assigned to the federal government under the Articles of Confederation?
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What was the result of administrative weaknesses under the Articles of Confederation?
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A sovereign group is one that is
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What was the main failure of the Articles of Confederation that eventually led to the US Constitution?
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Under the Articles of Confederation, if Virginia had ten thousand citizens and Delaware had five thousand citizens, how many representatives would each state have in the legislature?
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Which is a true statement about the weakness of the administrative area of government under the Articles of Confederation?
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The fact that there was no national military was a weakness in which area of government?
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Study Notes
Concerns After Independence
- Colonists prioritized creating a government strong enough to protect against British influence while fearing a government that could become too powerful.
- The desire for a careful, deliberate approach to establishing a new government system was emphasized.
Articles of Confederation Purpose
- The Articles were created primarily to unify the nation for defense during wartime.
- Their goal included defining the balance of power between state and federal governments.
Federal Government's Military Challenge
- A significant issue for the federal government during imminent war threats was the absence of a national military.
- The large size of the country made defense difficult with a limited army, and state support for federal efforts was uncertain.
Responsibilities Under Articles
- The federal government was tasked with drawing up treaties, a key function under the Articles of Confederation.
- Other responsibilities like taxing or maintaining a militia were not adequately assigned to the federal government.
Consequences of Administrative Weaknesses
- Administrative weaknesses led to the inability of the government to maintain order and enforce laws effectively.
- The government struggled to apply taxes consistently and face issues related to judicial authority.
Definition of Sovereignty
- A sovereign group is characterized primarily by its independence from external control or influence.
Critical Failure of the Articles
- The primary failure of the Articles was the lack of sufficient power granted to the national government.
- This weakness hindered effective governance, contributing to the eventual establishment of the U.S. Constitution.
Representation Under the Articles
- Legislative representation was critically unequal: Virginia, with ten thousand citizens, had only a limited number of representatives compared to Delaware's five thousand, demonstrating an imbalanced system.
Weakness in Administrative Function
- A key administrative weakness under the Articles included the national government's inability to enforce laws effectively, resulting in legislative challenges and inefficiencies.
- The inability to regulate commerce also highlighted systemic governmental weaknesses.
Absence of National Military
- The lack of a national military pointed to significant weaknesses in the administrative area of government, affecting national security and defense capabilities.
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Description
Test your knowledge on the formation and significance of the Constitution with these flashcards. They cover key concerns during and after the independence from Britain and the reasons behind the Articles of Confederation. Ideal for learners exploring American government principles.
