Study Questions
Compare and contrast the beliefs of radicals
and conservatives with respect to the formation
of the new government. What were the effects of
these differences, as demonstrated in the
Articles of Confederation and in U.S.
government in general?
What was the impact of Shays' Rebellion on
constitutional government in the United States?
What is significant about each state having an
equal vote in Congress?
Describe the weaknesses of the Confederation
Congress, and explain the significance of those
weaknesses to that time period in American history.
What role did land play in the ratification of
the Articles of Confederation?
Describe the bonds that sustained the "loose
confederation" of states. Was this a successful
union of states? Why or why not?
In what way(s) did Congress attempt to address the
issue of slavery under the Articles of
Confederation?
Pick one of the weaknesses of the Confederation
Congress (for example, its inability to regulate
interstate commerce) and explain how that led to
the Constitutional Convention of 1787.
Explain the way(s)in which the Articles of
Confederation established precedents for the
U.S. government.
How were the values of the American Revolution
translated into practice with the Articles of
Confederation?
