Review of the Articles of Confederation and Early American Government

These flashcards cover the key concepts and events surrounding the Articles of Confederation and the early government of the United States.

What was the main reason the Articles of Confederation were considered a failure?

The government was too weak to solve the nation’s problems.

What is a Confederation?

A league or association of states.

What is a Republic?

A government in which citizens rule through elected officials.

Define Republicanism.

The idea that governments should be based on the consent of the people.

What did the Continental Congress do?

It drafted a Constitution for the states as a whole.

According to the Articles of Confederation, how was representation determined?

Each state, regardless of size, had one vote.

What was one significant problem the Articles of Confederation faced regarding power distribution?

Power was divided equally between the national and state governments, leading to confusion about authority.

What issue arose concerning newly acquired western lands?

States wanted to expand into the west, creating conflict over land ownership.

What was the Northwest Ordinance of 1787?

A procedure for dividing territory and requirements for admitting new states.

List the three basic stages for a territory to become a state according to the Northwest Ordinance.

1. Appoint a governor and judges. 2. Allow elections when the population reaches 5,000. 3. Permit a constitution when the population reaches 60,000.

What was a major economic problem under the Articles of Confederation?

The national debt that could not be paid because Congress could not collect taxes.

What foreign relation issues did the U.S. face after independence?

Inability to repay debts which upset Britain and refusal to pay loyalists for property losses.

What sparked Shays' Rebellion?

Daniel Shays was upset over debts incurred while serving in the military.

What did Shays' Rebellion reveal about the government?

The rebellion highlighted the weakness of the national government under the Articles of Confederation.

Why did Shays' Rebellion cause national panic?

It raised fears that similar rebellions could spread to other states, demonstrating a lack of federal strength.

What did the outcome of Shays' Rebellion indicate about the need for government reform?

It proved that the Articles of Confederation needed to be rewritten to establish a stronger government.

What was a key takeaway from the failures of the Articles of Confederation?

Understanding these failures helped lead to the creation of the Constitution.