HIST121 Unit Test 5 – Articles of
Confederation and Constitution
Formation 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
during the Constitutional Convention of 1787?
A. The national government had too much authority over state governments
B. The president lacked enough power to command the military
C. The national government could not effectively regulate trade or raise
revenue through taxation
D. The Supreme Court had excessive control over state laws
Answer: C
The Articles of Confederation created a very limited national government
that lacked the power to collect taxes or regulate interstate and foreign
commerce. These weaknesses made it difficult for the United States to pay
debts, maintain economic stability, and respond effectively to national
problems.
, 2. The Articles of Confederation established which type of government
structure for the United States?
A. A strong centralized government with extensive federal authority
B. A loose alliance of states with a weak central government
C. A monarchy led by a hereditary ruler
D. A parliamentary system controlled by elected representatives
Answer: B
The Articles of Confederation created a confederation in which states
retained most of their power while the national government had limited
authority. This reflected Americans’ fear of replacing British tyranny with
another powerful central government.
3. 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 land size
C. One vote regardless of population
D. Votes determined by state wealth
Answer: C
The Articles gave each state one vote in Congress, regardless of population
or size. This protected smaller states from being dominated by larger states
but also created difficulties when making national decisions.
4. Which event demonstrated the weaknesses of the Articles of
Confederation by revealing the national government’s inability to
maintain order?
A. The Boston Tea Party
B. Shays’ Rebellion
,C. The Declaration of Independence
D. The Battle of Yorktown
Answer: B
Shays’ Rebellion in 1786–1787 exposed the inability of the Articles
government to respond effectively to domestic unrest because Congress
lacked the power to create a national military force or provide strong
economic solutions.
5. What was the primary purpose of the Land Ordinance of 1785?
A. To establish a national currency
B. To organize and sell western lands
C. To create a national court system
D. To abolish slavery in all territories
Answer: B
The Land Ordinance of 1785 created a system for surveying and selling
western lands. It helped organize settlement and provided revenue for the
new government under the Articles of Confederation.
6. The Northwest Ordinance of 1787 was significant because it:
A. Created a process for territories to become states
B. Established the first national bank
C. Ended the Revolutionary War
D. Created the office of president
Answer: A
The Northwest Ordinance established a method for governing western
territories and allowing them to become equal states. It also prohibited
slavery in the Northwest Territory.
, 7. Why did many American leaders believe the Articles of Confederation
needed to be replaced?
A. It gave too much power to the federal government
B. It prevented states from creating their own laws
C. It created a national government too weak to solve major problems
D. It eliminated the role of state governments
Answer: C
Many leaders believed the Articles created a government that was too
weak to handle economic problems, foreign relations, and internal
conflicts. This led to calls for constitutional reform.
8. The Constitutional Convention of 1787 originally met for the purpose
of:
A. Writing a declaration of war against Britain
B. Revising the Articles of Confederation
C. Electing the first president
D. Creating political parties
Answer: B
Delegates initially gathered in Philadelphia to revise the Articles of
Confederation, but they quickly decided that creating an entirely new
system of government was necessary.
9. Who served as president of the Constitutional Convention of 1787?
A. Thomas Jefferson
B. James Madison
C. George Washington
D. Benjamin Franklin
Answer: C
Confederation and Constitution
Formation Exam Practice Questions And
Correct Answers (Verified Answers) Plus
Rationale 2026 Q&A| Instant Download
1. Which major weakness of the Articles of Confederation most directly
contributed to the decision to create a stronger federal government
during the Constitutional Convention of 1787?
A. The national government had too much authority over state governments
B. The president lacked enough power to command the military
C. The national government could not effectively regulate trade or raise
revenue through taxation
D. The Supreme Court had excessive control over state laws
Answer: C
The Articles of Confederation created a very limited national government
that lacked the power to collect taxes or regulate interstate and foreign
commerce. These weaknesses made it difficult for the United States to pay
debts, maintain economic stability, and respond effectively to national
problems.
, 2. The Articles of Confederation established which type of government
structure for the United States?
A. A strong centralized government with extensive federal authority
B. A loose alliance of states with a weak central government
C. A monarchy led by a hereditary ruler
D. A parliamentary system controlled by elected representatives
Answer: B
The Articles of Confederation created a confederation in which states
retained most of their power while the national government had limited
authority. This reflected Americans’ fear of replacing British tyranny with
another powerful central government.
3. 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 land size
C. One vote regardless of population
D. Votes determined by state wealth
Answer: C
The Articles gave each state one vote in Congress, regardless of population
or size. This protected smaller states from being dominated by larger states
but also created difficulties when making national decisions.
4. Which event demonstrated the weaknesses of the Articles of
Confederation by revealing the national government’s inability to
maintain order?
A. The Boston Tea Party
B. Shays’ Rebellion
,C. The Declaration of Independence
D. The Battle of Yorktown
Answer: B
Shays’ Rebellion in 1786–1787 exposed the inability of the Articles
government to respond effectively to domestic unrest because Congress
lacked the power to create a national military force or provide strong
economic solutions.
5. What was the primary purpose of the Land Ordinance of 1785?
A. To establish a national currency
B. To organize and sell western lands
C. To create a national court system
D. To abolish slavery in all territories
Answer: B
The Land Ordinance of 1785 created a system for surveying and selling
western lands. It helped organize settlement and provided revenue for the
new government under the Articles of Confederation.
6. The Northwest Ordinance of 1787 was significant because it:
A. Created a process for territories to become states
B. Established the first national bank
C. Ended the Revolutionary War
D. Created the office of president
Answer: A
The Northwest Ordinance established a method for governing western
territories and allowing them to become equal states. It also prohibited
slavery in the Northwest Territory.
, 7. Why did many American leaders believe the Articles of Confederation
needed to be replaced?
A. It gave too much power to the federal government
B. It prevented states from creating their own laws
C. It created a national government too weak to solve major problems
D. It eliminated the role of state governments
Answer: C
Many leaders believed the Articles created a government that was too
weak to handle economic problems, foreign relations, and internal
conflicts. This led to calls for constitutional reform.
8. The Constitutional Convention of 1787 originally met for the purpose
of:
A. Writing a declaration of war against Britain
B. Revising the Articles of Confederation
C. Electing the first president
D. Creating political parties
Answer: B
Delegates initially gathered in Philadelphia to revise the Articles of
Confederation, but they quickly decided that creating an entirely new
system of government was necessary.
9. Who served as president of the Constitutional Convention of 1787?
A. Thomas Jefferson
B. James Madison
C. George Washington
D. Benjamin Franklin
Answer: C
