HIST121 Practice Exam 6 – Articles of
Confederation and Constitution Exam
Practice Questions And Correct Answers
(Verified Answers) Plus Rationale 2026
Q&A| Instant Download Pdf
1. Which major weakness of the Articles of Confederation most directly
contributed to the decision to create a stronger federal government in
the United States?
A. The national government had too much power over state governments
B. The president had excessive authority over Congress
C. The national government lacked the power to tax and regulate commerce
D. The Supreme Court controlled state courts
Correct answer: C. The national government lacked the power to tax and
regulate commerce
The Articles of Confederation created a weak central government that
could not collect taxes or effectively manage interstate and foreign trade,
leading to economic and political problems that encouraged constitutional
reform.
2. The Articles of Confederation served as the first constitution of the
United States from which period?
,A. 1776–1781
B. 1781–1789
C. 1789–1801
D. 1801–1815
Correct answer: B. 1781–1789
The Articles of Confederation were officially adopted in 1781 and remained
the governing framework until the Constitution replaced them in 1789.
3. Which event demonstrated the inability of the Articles of
Confederation government to maintain order effectively?
A. The Boston Tea Party
B. Shays’ Rebellion
C. The Declaration of Independence
D. The Louisiana Purchase
Correct answer: B. Shays’ Rebellion
Shays’ Rebellion in 1786–1787 exposed the weakness of the national
government because it lacked the military and financial resources to
respond effectively to domestic unrest.
4. Under the Articles of Confederation, how many votes did each state
receive in Congress?
A. One vote based on population
B. Two votes based on wealth
C. One vote regardless of size
D. Votes determined by congressional districts
Correct answer: C. One vote regardless of size
The Articles created a unicameral Congress where each state had one vote,
reflecting the belief that states were equal political units.
, 5. What was the primary purpose of the Constitutional Convention of
1787?
A. To declare independence from Britain
B. To revise the Articles of Confederation
C. To elect the first president
D. To abolish state governments
Correct answer: B. To revise the Articles of Confederation
The convention originally intended to improve the Articles, but delegates
eventually decided to create an entirely new governing document.
6. Which state refused to send delegates to the Constitutional
Convention?
A. Virginia
B. Rhode Island
C. Pennsylvania
D. Massachusetts
Correct answer: B. Rhode Island
Rhode Island opposed strengthening the national government and refused
to participate in the Constitutional Convention.
7. Who is often called the “Father of the Constitution” because of his
major contributions to the document’s design?
A. George Washington
B. James Madison
C. Thomas Jefferson
D. Alexander Hamilton
Correct answer: B. James Madison
, James Madison played a leading role in drafting the Constitution and
developing ideas about representation and federal government structure.
8. The Virginia Plan proposed which major change to the national
government?
A. A weaker Congress controlled by states
B. Representation based on population
C. Elimination of the presidency
D. A single branch of government
Correct answer: B. Representation based on population
The Virginia Plan favored larger states by proposing representation based
on population rather than equal state voting power.
9. Which group supported the New Jersey Plan during the Constitutional
Convention?
A. Large states
B. Small states
C. Federal judges
D. Foreign governments
Correct answer: B. Small states
The New Jersey Plan protected smaller states by proposing equal
representation for each state in Congress.
10. What compromise resolved the disagreement between the
Virginia Plan and the New Jersey Plan?
A. Missouri Compromise
B. Great Compromise
C. Three-Fifths Compromise
D. Compromise of 1850
Confederation and Constitution Exam
Practice Questions And Correct Answers
(Verified Answers) Plus Rationale 2026
Q&A| Instant Download Pdf
1. Which major weakness of the Articles of Confederation most directly
contributed to the decision to create a stronger federal government in
the United States?
A. The national government had too much power over state governments
B. The president had excessive authority over Congress
C. The national government lacked the power to tax and regulate commerce
D. The Supreme Court controlled state courts
Correct answer: C. The national government lacked the power to tax and
regulate commerce
The Articles of Confederation created a weak central government that
could not collect taxes or effectively manage interstate and foreign trade,
leading to economic and political problems that encouraged constitutional
reform.
2. The Articles of Confederation served as the first constitution of the
United States from which period?
,A. 1776–1781
B. 1781–1789
C. 1789–1801
D. 1801–1815
Correct answer: B. 1781–1789
The Articles of Confederation were officially adopted in 1781 and remained
the governing framework until the Constitution replaced them in 1789.
3. Which event demonstrated the inability of the Articles of
Confederation government to maintain order effectively?
A. The Boston Tea Party
B. Shays’ Rebellion
C. The Declaration of Independence
D. The Louisiana Purchase
Correct answer: B. Shays’ Rebellion
Shays’ Rebellion in 1786–1787 exposed the weakness of the national
government because it lacked the military and financial resources to
respond effectively to domestic unrest.
4. Under the Articles of Confederation, how many votes did each state
receive in Congress?
A. One vote based on population
B. Two votes based on wealth
C. One vote regardless of size
D. Votes determined by congressional districts
Correct answer: C. One vote regardless of size
The Articles created a unicameral Congress where each state had one vote,
reflecting the belief that states were equal political units.
, 5. What was the primary purpose of the Constitutional Convention of
1787?
A. To declare independence from Britain
B. To revise the Articles of Confederation
C. To elect the first president
D. To abolish state governments
Correct answer: B. To revise the Articles of Confederation
The convention originally intended to improve the Articles, but delegates
eventually decided to create an entirely new governing document.
6. Which state refused to send delegates to the Constitutional
Convention?
A. Virginia
B. Rhode Island
C. Pennsylvania
D. Massachusetts
Correct answer: B. Rhode Island
Rhode Island opposed strengthening the national government and refused
to participate in the Constitutional Convention.
7. Who is often called the “Father of the Constitution” because of his
major contributions to the document’s design?
A. George Washington
B. James Madison
C. Thomas Jefferson
D. Alexander Hamilton
Correct answer: B. James Madison
, James Madison played a leading role in drafting the Constitution and
developing ideas about representation and federal government structure.
8. The Virginia Plan proposed which major change to the national
government?
A. A weaker Congress controlled by states
B. Representation based on population
C. Elimination of the presidency
D. A single branch of government
Correct answer: B. Representation based on population
The Virginia Plan favored larger states by proposing representation based
on population rather than equal state voting power.
9. Which group supported the New Jersey Plan during the Constitutional
Convention?
A. Large states
B. Small states
C. Federal judges
D. Foreign governments
Correct answer: B. Small states
The New Jersey Plan protected smaller states by proposing equal
representation for each state in Congress.
10. What compromise resolved the disagreement between the
Virginia Plan and the New Jersey Plan?
A. Missouri Compromise
B. Great Compromise
C. Three-Fifths Compromise
D. Compromise of 1850
