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Articles to Constitution Review
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Articles to Constitution Review
Articles to Constitution Review
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1
Question
What weaknesses of the Articles of Confederation led to the writing of the Constitution?
Answer
Shaped by lack of central power, no taxation, no unified trade policy, and no executive or national court.
2
Question
What is the difference between Federalists and Anti-Federalists regarding the Constitution and a Bill of Rights?
Answer
Federalists supported ratification with a strong central government; Anti-Federalists opposed without a Bill of Rights.
3
Question
What key topics are listed in the Essential Questions for this unit?
Answer
Weaknesses of the Articles and their link to the Constitution, Federalist vs Anti-Federalist views on ratification and a Bill of Rights.
4
Question
What was the primary purpose of the Northwest Ordinance?
Answer
Organize governance for western lands and outline a process to admit new states, with no slavery in the territory.
5
Question
What were two major weaknesses of the Articles of Confederation?
Answer
No power to tax and no national executive; Congress could not regulate commerce.
6
Question
How did the Articles’ requirement for amending laws affect government?
Answer
Requires approval by all 13 states, making amendments nearly impossible.
7
Question
What was the structure of the Continental Congress under the Articles?
Answer
Unicameral legislature with one vote per state; could conduct foreign affairs and advise but not enforce taxes.
8
Question
What did the phrase ‘Life, Liberty, and the Pursuit of Happiness’ refer to in the context of government?
Answer
Guiding ideals from the Declaration of Independence used to shape early government.
9
Question
Why did New Hampshire’s ratification matter in the constitutional process?
Answer
It was the ninth state needed to ratify, meeting the requirement for the Constitution to take effect.
10
Question
What is a Bicameral legislature, and how did it appear in the early context?
Answer
Legislature with two houses; members elected by different methods.
11
Question
What did the Articles of Confederation successfully accomplish?
Answer
Two major successes: Ordinances establishing land survey and governance for western lands.
12
Question
What did the Ordinance of 1785 establish for western lands?
Answer
Survey system: townships of 6 by 6 miles, 36 sections per township.
13
Question
What is the significance of Section 16 in townships?
Answer
Reserved for the public school in the township.
14
Question
What mandate regarding slavery appeared in the Northwest Territory?
Answer
No slavery or involuntary servitude in the Northwest Territory.
15
Question
What essential question concerns the need for a centralized government?
Answer
What would happen without an organized government of any kind?
16
Question
What concern did colonists have when forming a new government?
Answer
Fear of concentrating power and replicating British-style rule.
17
Question
What characterized a Confederation as a form of government?
Answer
A group of state governments united for a common purpose, with most power staying with states.
18
Question
How did the Articles of Confederation impact state powers over war and foreign affairs?
Answer
States retained sovereignty; Confederation Congress could handle war and foreign matters but lacked enforcement power.
19
Question
What is the purpose of a Bill of Rights in the context of ratification debates?
Answer
To protect individual liberties and limit government power.
20
Question
What does ratification mean in the constitutional process?
Answer
Approval or agreement by the states to adopt the Constitution.
21
Question
What is meant by “No referees at the game” as a DIN prompt in the notes?
Answer
A classroom scenario prompt asking students to describe outcomes without referee enforcement.
22
Question
Which two ordinances specifically address governance of new western lands?
Answer
Northwest Ordinance and Ordinance of 1785.
23
Question
What does “ratified by 1781 all states” indicate about the Articles of Confederation?
Answer
All states approved the Articles by that year.
24
Question
What is the central idea behind the need for a new government after independence?
Answer
The existing charters were inadequate; a stronger framework was required.
25
Question
What role did the Magna Carta and English Bill of Rights influence the new government?
Answer
They inspired foundational protections for rights and legal procedures.
26
Question
What does ‘Unicameral’ mean in the Articles’ government structure?
Answer
A one-house legislature.
27
Question
What issue did merchants especially dislike about the Articles?
Answer
Trade barriers between states due to state-level taxes.
28
Question
What is the significance of “The Constitution” as described in the notes?
Answer
A detailed, written plan for a new organized government.
29
Question
What does the term ‘Confederation Congress’ refer to?
Answer
The central legislative body under the Articles of Confederation.
30
Question
How did the Articles of Confederation approach the problem of raising an army?
Answer
States needed to contribute; central government had limited authority to compel funding.