U.S. Government Structure and Compromises

Questions and Answers

What agreement did the delegates reach regarding enslaved people and representation with the Three-Fifths Compromise?

They were not to be counted in the census at all.

They were counted in the census in certain states.

They were counted in the census as full equals.

They were partially counted in the census. (correct)

Which was an area of weakness in the federal government under the Articles of Confederation?

Legislative power (correct)

Authoritative power

Democratic power

Regulatory power

If leaders wanted to create a government that is more effective than the government under the Articles of Confederation, which is the most important idea that should be embraced?

The federal and state governments should be equal.

The federal government must have an elected leader.

The state governments should be weak.

The federal government cannot be weak. (correct)

In a confederal system of government, power is

Distributed equally among the state governments. Signup and view all the answers

Which statement about the Three-Fifths Compromise is accurate?

The Three-Fifths Compromise was a temporary solution to a long-term political issue. Signup and view all the answers

When leaders use religious laws to govern, they most likely represent:

A theocracy. Signup and view all the answers

What was the purpose of the New Jersey Plan?

To support the interests of the smaller states. Signup and view all the answers

Which scenario is not guaranteed under the Articles of Confederation?

A merchant could always use the same currency in Connecticut and Georgia. Signup and view all the answers

Which type of governmental power does a unitary system hold?

Centralized power Signup and view all the answers

In a unitary system of government, power is

Held by a central government. Signup and view all the answers

Which best describes an important civic responsibility?

Voting Signup and view all the answers

A public welfare service that the US government provides is

Education. Signup and view all the answers

The US Constitution structures the government by creating a system that

Organizes power on federal, state, and local levels. Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Three-Fifths Compromise

Delegates decided to partially count enslaved people in the census, with each enslaved individual counting as three-fifths of a person.
This agreement aimed to balance the representation of slave and free states in Congress.

Articles of Confederation Weaknesses

Lacked regulatory and authoritative power, leading to ineffective legislation.
Federal government could not raise revenue or impose taxes without state approval.
State and national currencies caused economic competition and instability.

Effective Government Formation

To improve governance beyond the Articles of Confederation, the federal government needed to be strong and effective.
Establishing a strong federal leader was deemed critical for operational efficiency.

Confederal and Unitary Systems

In a confederal system, power is distributed among state governments rather than centralized.
A unitary system centralizes power within a single central government, limiting state autonomy.

New Jersey Plan

Proposed to support smaller states’ interests by ensuring equal representation regardless of population size.

Civic Responsibilities and Governance

Voting is identified as a key civic responsibility essential in a democratic society.
The U.S. government provides public welfare services, notably education, for societal benefit.

US Constitution Structure

The Constitution organizes government power across federal, state, and local levels, establishing a framework for functioning governance.

Description

This quiz explores the foundational concepts of the U.S. government, including the Three-Fifths Compromise and the weaknesses of the Articles of Confederation. It discusses the necessity for a strong federal government and the differences between confederal and unitary systems. Test your understanding of these key political concepts.