AP U.S. Government topic quiz4 questions

1.4 Challenges of the Articles of Confederation

Choose the best answer, check your reasoning, and use the explanation to correct any gap.

Question 1

Question 1 of 4

What conclusion did many advocates of constitutional reform draw from Shays' Rebellion?

The rebellion gave reformers vivid evidence that public emergencies could expose weak revenue and mobilization capacity. Massachusetts ultimately restored order, so the episode did not prove that states had to disappear or that one voting rule caused every problem. It strengthened a broader reform argument already focused on finance, commerce, and implementation.
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A. National responsibilities required more dependable revenue and implementation capacity, especially during emergencies

The rebellion gave reformers vivid evidence that public emergencies could expose weak revenue and mobilization capacity. Massachusetts ultimately restored order, so the episode did not prove that states had to disappear or that one voting rule caused every problem. It strengthened a broader reform argument already focused on finance, commerce, and implementation.

Question 2

Question 2 of 4

Several states impose duties that burden goods arriving from neighboring states. Why is Congress poorly positioned under the Articles to impose one uniform solution?

The Articles gave Congress important diplomatic and dispute-resolution powers but no general authority to regulate commerce among the states. A nine-state vote could exercise a power already granted; it could not create the missing commerce power. Foreign-treaty authority and interstate boundary panels did not supply control over state tariff policy.
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B. The Articles give Congress no general power to regulate commerce among the states

The Articles gave Congress important diplomatic and dispute-resolution powers but no general authority to regulate commerce among the states. A nine-state vote could exercise a power already granted; it could not create the missing commerce power. Foreign-treaty authority and interstate boundary panels did not supply control over state tariff policy.

Question 3

Question 3 of 4

Congress approves funds for a national obligation, but several states supply only part of their assigned requisitions. Which feature of the Articles most directly explains why the full amount may never reach Congress?

Congress could calculate common expenses and requisition each state's share, but state legislatures controlled taxation and collection. One-state-one-vote and the nine-state threshold concern how Congress decided; neither made a valid requisition self-executing. Congress could borrow with nine-state assent, but new debt did not create the revenue needed for repayment.
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C. Congress has no power to levy and collect a general national tax directly from individuals

Congress could calculate common expenses and requisition each state's share, but state legislatures controlled taxation and collection. One-state-one-vote and the nine-state threshold concern how Congress decided; neither made a valid requisition self-executing. Congress could borrow with nine-state assent, but new debt did not create the revenue needed for repayment.

Question 4

Question 4 of 4

Delegates reject a rule requiring every state to approve the new Constitution before it can take effect. Which weakness of the Articles are they most directly trying to avoid?

Article XIII required Congress to agree to an alteration and every state legislature to confirm it. Article VII of the proposed Constitution instead allowed the new framework to take effect among ratifying states after approval by conventions in nine states. That adoption rule addressed the old system's unanimity barrier; it did not by itself create an executive, taxing power, or judiciary.
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D. The paralysis created by unanimity for structural amendment

Article XIII required Congress to agree to an alteration and every state legislature to confirm it. Article VII of the proposed Constitution instead allowed the new framework to take effect among ratifying states after approval by conventions in nine states. That adoption rule addressed the old system's unanimity barrier; it did not by itself create an executive, taxing power, or judiciary.

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