AP US History Flashcards: The Articles Of Confederation

What this deck covers

This deck focuses on The Articles Of Confederation, giving you a quick way to review the definitions, rules, and examples that matter most for AP US History.

How to use these flashcards

Work through these flashcards in short sessions. Try to answer each prompt before flipping the card, then revisit any cards you miss until the explanation feels automatic.

Flashcard 1: Why was the Annapolis Convention called in 1786?

Answer: To address trade and commerce issues. Focused on interstate commerce problems under Articles.

Flashcard 2: Why was the Annapolis Convention called in 1786?

Answer: To address trade and commerce issues. Focused on interstate commerce problems under Articles.

Flashcard 3: What was the duration of the Articles of Confederation's effectiveness?

Answer: 1781 to 1789. Period between ratification and Constitutional replacement.

Flashcard 4: What major issue did the Articles fail to address, leading to economic problems?

Answer: Interstate tariffs and trade barriers. States imposed conflicting trade restrictions on each other.

Flashcard 5: What was the role of committees under the Articles of Confederation?

Answer: Manage specific governmental functions. Handled day-to-day administrative responsibilities for Congress.

Flashcard 6: What was the primary purpose of the Articles of Confederation?

Answer: To establish a national government for the United States. Created the first national framework after independence.

Flashcard 7: What significant action did the Land Ordinance of 1785 facilitate?

Answer: Survey and sale of western lands. Provided systematic approach to western territorial development.

Flashcard 8: Under the Articles, how many states needed to agree to pass major laws?

Answer: Nine. Supermajority required for important legislation.

Flashcard 9: What was the official name of the government under the Articles?

Answer: The United States in Congress Assembled. Formal title emphasized confederation structure.

Flashcard 10: Which year did Shays' Rebellion occur?

Answer: 1786-1787. Farmers' revolt exposed government's military weakness.

Flashcard 11: What event highlighted the weaknesses of the Articles?

Answer: Shays' Rebellion. Armed uprising showed federal government's inability to maintain order.

Flashcard 12: What was a financial problem faced under the Articles?

Answer: Congress could not impose taxes. Federal government relied entirely on state contributions.

Flashcard 13: Which concept was emphasized by the Articles: State sovereignty or National power?

Answer: State sovereignty. States retained most governmental authority and independence.

Flashcard 14: What was the role of committees under the Articles of Confederation?

Answer: Manage specific governmental functions. Handled day-to-day administrative responsibilities for Congress.

Flashcard 15: What prompted the transition from the Articles to the Constitution?

Answer: The need for a stronger federal government. Articles proved inadequate for governing effectively.

Flashcard 16: Which body approved treaties under the Articles of Confederation?

Answer: Congress. Congress held authority over foreign agreements.

Flashcard 17: Which document replaced the Articles of Confederation?

Answer: The United States Constitution. Created stronger federal government to address weaknesses.

Flashcard 18: How did the Articles address judicial matters?

Answer: No national judiciary was established. Left legal disputes to individual states to resolve.

Flashcard 19: What was a result of the Articles' inability to regulate commerce?

Answer: Economic instability and trade disputes. Lack of federal authority created economic chaos.

Flashcard 20: Which year did Shays' Rebellion occur?

Answer: 1786-1787. Farmers' revolt exposed government's military weakness.

Flashcard 21: How was the issue of western lands resolved under the Articles?

Answer: Northwest Ordinance of 1787. Established process for territorial expansion and statehood.

Flashcard 22: What powers did Congress lack under the Articles of Confederation?

Answer: Power to tax and regulate commerce. These were critical powers needed for effective governance.

Flashcard 23: Which body held the most power under the Articles of Confederation?

Answer: The Continental Congress. Only branch of government established under the Articles.

Flashcard 24: What was a diplomatic weakness of the Articles of Confederation?

Answer: Inability to enforce treaties. Lacked authority to compel state compliance with agreements.

Flashcard 25: Which body held the most power under the Articles of Confederation?

Answer: The Continental Congress. Only branch of government established under the Articles.

Flashcard 26: How many votes did each state have in Congress under the Articles?

Answer: One vote per state. Equal representation regardless of state size or population.

Flashcard 27: How many branches of government did the Articles establish?

Answer: One. Only legislative branch existed, no executive or judicial.

Flashcard 28: What authority did Congress have over war under the Articles?

Answer: The power to declare war. Congress retained key military decision-making authority.

Flashcard 29: Why did the Articles of Confederation emphasize state sovereignty?

Answer: Fear of centralized power. Reaction against British colonial control and tyranny.

Flashcard 30: What was the role of the President under the Articles of Confederation?

Answer: Presiding officer of Congress. Ceremonial position with no executive authority.

Flashcard 31: What major issue did the Articles fail to address, leading to economic problems?

Answer: Interstate tariffs and trade barriers. States imposed conflicting trade restrictions on each other.

Flashcard 32: Which branch of government was absent in the Articles of Confederation?

Answer: Executive. No separate executive branch to enforce laws.

Flashcard 33: What prompted the transition from the Articles to the Constitution?

Answer: The need for a stronger federal government. Articles proved inadequate for governing effectively.

Flashcard 34: How many articles make up the Articles of Confederation?

Answer: Thirteen. Document contained thirteen distinct articles of governance.

Flashcard 35: Why was the Articles of Confederation considered a 'league of friendship'?

Answer: It emphasized cooperation and mutual defense. Described as alliance rather than unified nation.

Flashcard 36: How did the Articles of Confederation address military needs?

Answer: Congress could request troops from states. Could ask for but not compel military service.

Flashcard 37: What was the role of the states under the Articles of Confederation?

Answer: Retained all powers not delegated to Congress. Federal government had limited enumerated powers only.

Flashcard 38: What was the role of the President under the Articles of Confederation?

Answer: Presiding officer of Congress. Ceremonial position with no executive authority.

Flashcard 39: What was the official name of the government under the Articles?

Answer: The United States in Congress Assembled. Formal title emphasized confederation structure.

Flashcard 40: What authority did Congress have over war under the Articles?

Answer: The power to declare war. Congress retained key military decision-making authority.

Flashcard 41: How did the Articles of Confederation impact foreign relations?

Answer: Weak central government hindered diplomacy. Other nations doubted America's ability to honor commitments.

Flashcard 42: What powers did Congress lack under the Articles of Confederation?

Answer: Power to tax and regulate commerce. These were critical powers needed for effective governance.

Flashcard 43: What did the Articles require for the admission of new states?

Answer: Approval by Congress. Congress could admit states to the confederation.

Flashcard 44: Why was the Articles of Confederation considered a 'league of friendship'?

Answer: It emphasized cooperation and mutual defense. Described as alliance rather than unified nation.

Flashcard 45: Which body approved treaties under the Articles of Confederation?

Answer: Congress. Congress held authority over foreign agreements.

Flashcard 46: What led to the Constitutional Convention of 1787?

Answer: Ineffectiveness of the Articles of Confederation. Delegates recognized need for fundamental governmental reform.

Flashcard 47: Which concept was emphasized by the Articles: State sovereignty or National power?

Answer: State sovereignty. States retained most governmental authority and independence.

Flashcard 48: Under the Articles, who held the power to coin money?

Answer: Both Congress and the states. Dual authority created confusion over monetary policy.

Flashcard 49: When were the Articles of Confederation ratified?

Answer: March 1, 1781. Final ratification completed the nation's first constitution.

Flashcard 50: Which branch of government was absent in the Articles of Confederation?

Answer: Executive. No separate executive branch to enforce laws.

Flashcard 51: How many votes did each state have in Congress under the Articles?

Answer: One vote per state. Equal representation regardless of state size or population.

Flashcard 52: How did the Articles address judicial matters?

Answer: No national judiciary was established. Left legal disputes to individual states to resolve.

Flashcard 53: How was the issue of western lands resolved under the Articles?

Answer: Northwest Ordinance of 1787. Established process for territorial expansion and statehood.

Flashcard 54: How did the Articles of Confederation address military needs?

Answer: Congress could request troops from states. Could ask for but not compel military service.

Flashcard 55: Which body resolved disputes between states under the Articles?

Answer: Congress. Served as arbiter in conflicts between states.

Flashcard 56: What was a financial problem faced under the Articles?

Answer: Congress could not impose taxes. Federal government relied entirely on state contributions.

Flashcard 57: When were the Articles of Confederation ratified?

Answer: March 1, 1781. Final ratification completed the nation's first constitution.

Flashcard 58: Which state was last to ratify the Articles of Confederation?

Answer: Maryland. Held out until western land claims were resolved.

Flashcard 59: Which document served as the first constitution of the United States?

Answer: The Articles of Confederation. America's initial governing document before the Constitution.

Flashcard 60: What led to the Constitutional Convention of 1787?

Answer: Ineffectiveness of the Articles of Confederation. Delegates recognized need for fundamental governmental reform.

Flashcard 61: Which state was last to ratify the Articles of Confederation?

Answer: Maryland. Held out until western land claims were resolved.

Flashcard 62: What event highlighted the weaknesses of the Articles?

Answer: Shays' Rebellion. Armed uprising showed federal government's inability to maintain order.

Flashcard 63: How many articles make up the Articles of Confederation?

Answer: Thirteen. Document contained thirteen distinct articles of governance.

Flashcard 64: What was required for amendments to be made to the Articles?

Answer: Unanimous approval of the states. Extremely difficult requirement that prevented changes.

Flashcard 65: Identify one major weakness of the Articles of Confederation.

Answer: Inability to levy taxes. Congress could only request money from states.

Flashcard 66: Why did the Articles of Confederation emphasize state sovereignty?

Answer: Fear of centralized power. Reaction against British colonial control and tyranny.

Flashcard 67: Under the Articles, how many states needed to agree to pass major laws?

Answer: Nine. Supermajority required for important legislation.

Flashcard 68: What was the duration of the Articles of Confederation's effectiveness?

Answer: 1781 to 1789. Period between ratification and Constitutional replacement.

Flashcard 69: What was a result of the Articles' inability to regulate commerce?

Answer: Economic instability and trade disputes. Lack of federal authority created economic chaos.

Flashcard 70: Which document replaced the Articles of Confederation?

Answer: The United States Constitution. Created stronger federal government to address weaknesses.

Flashcard 71: How many branches of government did the Articles establish?

Answer: One. Only legislative branch existed, no executive or judicial.

Flashcard 72: Under the Articles, who held the power to coin money?

Answer: Both Congress and the states. Dual authority created confusion over monetary policy.

Flashcard 73: Identify one major weakness of the Articles of Confederation.

Answer: Inability to levy taxes. Congress could only request money from states.

Flashcard 74: What was a diplomatic weakness of the Articles of Confederation?

Answer: Inability to enforce treaties. Lacked authority to compel state compliance with agreements.

Flashcard 75: What did the Articles require for the admission of new states?

Answer: Approval by Congress. Congress could admit states to the confederation.

Flashcard 76: How did the Articles of Confederation impact foreign relations?

Answer: Weak central government hindered diplomacy. Other nations doubted America's ability to honor commitments.

Flashcard 77: Which document served as the first constitution of the United States?

Answer: The Articles of Confederation. America's initial governing document before the Constitution.

Flashcard 78: What was the role of the states under the Articles of Confederation?

Answer: Retained all powers not delegated to Congress. Federal government had limited enumerated powers only.

Flashcard 79: Which body resolved disputes between states under the Articles?

Answer: Congress. Served as arbiter in conflicts between states.

Flashcard 80: What was required for amendments to be made to the Articles?

Answer: Unanimous approval of the states. Extremely difficult requirement that prevented changes.

Flashcard 81: What significant action did the Land Ordinance of 1785 facilitate?

Answer: Survey and sale of western lands. Provided systematic approach to western territorial development.