APUSH Period 3 Articles of Confederation Weaknesses
39 flashcards covering APUSH Period 3 Articles of Confederation Weaknesses for the AP-US-HISTORY Period 3 (1754–1800) section.
The weaknesses of the Articles of Confederation are a critical topic within AP United States History (APUSH) Period 3, which spans from 1754 to 1800. This period is defined by the College Board's APUSH Curriculum Framework, emphasizing the early challenges of nation-building in the United States. The Articles, ratified in 1781, created a government that struggled with issues such as a lack of centralized authority, no power to tax, and difficulties in regulating commerce among states.
On practice exams, questions about the Articles of Confederation often focus on identifying specific weaknesses and their consequences, requiring students to analyze how these issues contributed to calls for a stronger federal government. Common traps include confusing the Articles with the later Constitution or underestimating the significance of state sovereignty in the context of national governance. A practical pitfall to avoid is neglecting to connect these weaknesses with the eventual drafting of the Constitution, which is crucial for understanding the evolution of American government.
Terms (39)
- 01
What was a major financial weakness of the Articles of Confederation?
The Articles of Confederation lacked the power to levy taxes, which made it difficult for the federal government to raise revenue and pay debts. This financial instability contributed to the eventual call for a stronger federal government (College Board AP CED).
- 02
How did the Articles of Confederation affect interstate commerce?
The Articles of Confederation allowed states to impose tariffs on each other, leading to economic disputes and hindering interstate commerce. This lack of a unified trade policy created economic fragmentation (College Board AP CED).
- 03
What was the consequence of the Articles of Confederation's inability to enforce laws?
The federal government under the Articles could not enforce laws or compel states to comply, leading to widespread disregard for federal authority and ineffective governance (College Board AP CED).
- 04
Which event highlighted the weaknesses of the Articles of Confederation?
Shays' Rebellion in 1786-1787 illustrated the inability of the federal government to maintain order and protect property, showcasing the need for a stronger central authority (College Board AP CED).
- 05
What was the requirement for amendments under the Articles of Confederation?
Amendments to the Articles required unanimous consent from all thirteen states, making it nearly impossible to adapt or improve the governance framework (College Board AP CED).
- 06
How often did the Articles of Confederation Congress meet?
The Congress under the Articles met infrequently, often only when necessary, which limited its effectiveness in addressing national issues (College Board AP CED).
- 07
What power did the Articles of Confederation grant to the states?
The Articles granted significant powers to the states, including the ability to conduct foreign affairs and regulate commerce, which often led to conflicts with federal authority (College Board AP CED).
- 08
What was a significant military weakness of the Articles of Confederation?
The federal government could not raise a standing army or compel states to provide troops, leaving the nation vulnerable to external threats (College Board AP CED).
- 09
What was the impact of the Articles of Confederation on foreign relations?
The inability of the federal government to enforce treaties or regulate trade weakened the United States' position in foreign affairs, leading to challenges from other nations (College Board AP CED).
- 10
How did the Articles of Confederation address representation?
The Articles established a unicameral legislature where each state had one vote, regardless of size or population, which created tensions among larger states (College Board AP CED).
- 11
What was a significant economic consequence of the Articles of Confederation?
The lack of a federal currency led to economic instability and confusion, as states issued their own currencies, complicating trade and commerce (College Board AP CED).
- 12
Under the Articles of Confederation, how were laws passed?
Laws required the approval of nine out of thirteen states to be enacted, making legislative action slow and difficult (College Board AP CED).
- 13
What was the role of the federal government under the Articles of Confederation?
The federal government had limited powers, primarily focused on foreign affairs and defense, while states retained most powers, leading to inefficiencies (College Board AP CED).
- 14
What was the significance of the Northwest Ordinance of 1787?
The Northwest Ordinance established a method for admitting new states and outlined the process for westward expansion, despite the weaknesses of the Articles (College Board AP CED).
- 15
What was a major social consequence of the Articles of Confederation's weaknesses?
The inability of the federal government to address economic distress contributed to social unrest and uprisings, such as Shays' Rebellion (College Board AP CED).
- 16
How did the Articles of Confederation affect the federal judiciary?
The Articles did not establish a federal judiciary, leaving disputes between states unresolved and relying solely on state courts (College Board AP CED).
- 17
What was the relationship between state and federal power under the Articles of Confederation?
The Articles created a weak central government with most powers retained by the states, leading to conflicts and inefficiencies in governance (College Board AP CED).
- 18
What was the impact of the Articles of Confederation on taxation?
The federal government could not impose taxes, relying on voluntary contributions from states, which were often insufficient, leading to financial crises (College Board AP CED).
- 19
What challenge did the Articles of Confederation face regarding trade?
The lack of a strong federal government meant that states could negotiate their own trade agreements, leading to inconsistent policies and economic competition (College Board AP CED).
- 20
How did the Articles of Confederation limit the federal government's ability to respond to crises?
The requirement for supermajority approval for decisions hindered the federal government's ability to act swiftly during emergencies, such as economic downturns (College Board AP CED).
- 21
What was the significance of the Philadelphia Convention of 1787?
The Philadelphia Convention was convened to address the weaknesses of the Articles of Confederation, ultimately leading to the drafting of the U.S. Constitution (College Board AP CED).
- 22
What was a major diplomatic weakness of the Articles of Confederation?
The inability to enforce treaties or engage in effective diplomacy weakened the United States' standing with foreign powers (College Board AP CED).
- 23
What was the effect of the Articles of Confederation on national unity?
The Articles contributed to divisions among states, as competing interests often led to conflicts, undermining national unity (College Board AP CED).
- 24
What was the role of the Continental Congress under the Articles of Confederation?
The Continental Congress served as the national legislature but had limited authority and effectiveness due to the constraints of the Articles (College Board AP CED).
- 25
What was a significant limitation of the Articles of Confederation regarding military power?
The federal government could not draft soldiers or maintain a standing army, relying instead on state militias for defense (College Board AP CED).
- 26
How did the Articles of Confederation impact economic policy?
The Articles did not allow the federal government to regulate commerce or establish a national currency, leading to economic disarray (College Board AP CED).
- 27
What was the impact of the Articles of Confederation on state sovereignty?
The Articles emphasized state sovereignty, allowing states to operate independently and often in conflict with federal policies (College Board AP CED).
- 28
What was the significance of the Treaty of Paris 1783 in relation to the Articles of Confederation?
The Treaty of Paris ended the Revolutionary War but highlighted the federal government's inability to enforce its terms effectively under the Articles (College Board AP CED).
- 29
What was the consequence of the Articles of Confederation's lack of an executive branch?
The absence of an executive branch meant there was no one to enforce laws or provide leadership, resulting in a weak national government (College Board AP CED).
- 30
What was the main reason for the failure of the Articles of Confederation?
The Articles failed primarily due to their inability to create a strong central government capable of addressing national issues effectively (College Board AP CED).
- 31
How did the Articles of Confederation influence the U.S. Constitution?
The weaknesses of the Articles directly influenced the drafting of the U.S. Constitution, which aimed to create a stronger federal government (College Board AP CED).
- 32
What was the relationship between the Articles of Confederation and state constitutions?
State constitutions often had more power and authority than the Articles, leading to conflicts and challenges in governance (College Board AP CED).
- 33
What role did economic instability play in the weaknesses of the Articles of Confederation?
Economic instability, exacerbated by the inability to tax and regulate commerce, highlighted the need for a stronger federal government (College Board AP CED).
- 34
What was a key feature of the Articles of Confederation regarding legislative power?
The Articles established a unicameral legislature with limited powers, requiring a supermajority for major decisions, which hindered effective governance (College Board AP CED).
- 35
What was the impact of the Articles of Confederation on civil rights?
The Articles did not address civil rights or liberties, leading to inconsistencies and challenges in protecting individual rights across states (College Board AP CED).
- 36
What was one of the primary motivations for the Constitutional Convention?
A primary motivation for the Constitutional Convention was to address the weaknesses of the Articles of Confederation and create a more effective government (College Board AP CED).
- 37
How did the Articles of Confederation affect the ability to raise revenue?
The Articles' lack of taxing power severely limited the federal government's ability to raise revenue, leading to financial difficulties (College Board AP CED).
- 38
What was the significance of the Annapolis Convention of 1786?
The Annapolis Convention was an early attempt to address the weaknesses of the Articles of Confederation, leading to the later Constitutional Convention (College Board AP CED).
- 39
How did the Articles of Confederation impact the development of political parties?
The weaknesses of the Articles contributed to the emergence of factions and political parties as groups sought to address governance issues (College Board AP CED).