7.1 The Articles Of Confederation

State constitutions created limited governments because most Americans wanted to prevent individual leaders from gaining excessive power. By implementing limitations and checks on the government's authority, the state constitutions aimed to ensure a fair and balanced distribution of power among different branches and levels of government. This approach was intended to protect individual rights and prevent the concentration of power in the hands of a few individuals or groups.

When the new state constitutions were written, most of them expanded voting rights, also called suffrage. Suffrage refers to the right to vote in political elections. The expansion of voting rights in the new state constitutions indicates that more people were given the opportunity to participate in the democratic process and have a say in the governance of their states. This expansion of suffrage was a significant step towards greater inclusivity and representation in the political system.

The statement is true. American leaders were indeed angry about how Parliament had abused its powers, and as a result, they designed a new government that intentionally made the central government weak. This was done to prevent a concentration of power and to ensure that the rights and freedoms of the states and individuals were protected.

The law that created new territories in what is now Illinois, Indiana, Michigan, Ohio, and Wisconsin was called the Northwest Ordinance of 1787. This law established a framework for governing these territories and outlined the process for their eventual admission as states. It also prohibited slavery in the Northwest Territory, setting an important precedent for the future expansion of the United States.

Thomas Jefferson is the correct answer because he was one of the key proponents of banning slavery in the new territories. As the primary author of the Declaration of Independence and a strong advocate for individual rights and freedoms, Jefferson recognized the contradiction between the principles of liberty and the institution of slavery. He proposed legislation to prohibit slavery in the Northwest Territory in 1784, which laid the foundation for the eventual ban on slavery in many new territories. Jefferson's stance against slavery was instrumental in shaping the early anti-slavery movement in the United States.

Connecticut had the first written constitution in the English colonies. The Fundamental Orders of Connecticut, adopted in 1639, established a government structure and outlined the rights and responsibilities of the citizens. This document is considered to be the first written constitution in the American colonies and served as a model for other colonial and state constitutions that followed.

Rome is the correct answer because it served as a model for the American government. The ancient Roman civilization was known for its republican form of government, with a system of checks and balances and the rule of law. The American founding fathers drew inspiration from Rome's political structure and incorporated many of its principles into the framework of the United States government. Thus, when Americans needed an example of how their government should work, they looked to Rome.

Ratifying something means officially approving it. When something is ratified, it is given formal approval or acceptance. This implies that the decision or action has been reviewed and agreed upon, making it the correct answer.

Maryland was the last state to approve the Articles of Confederation. The Articles of Confederation was the first constitution of the United States, and it required the approval of all thirteen states for it to be ratified. Maryland initially refused to ratify the Articles because of a dispute over western land claims. However, in 1781, after all other states had approved, Maryland finally ratified the Articles, making it the last state to do so.

The Magna Carta is the correct answer because it was a significant document written in England in 1215. It established the principle that the king was not above the law and limited the power of the monarchy. The ideas and principles outlined in the Magna Carta greatly influenced the development of democratic governments, including the form of government in the United States. It laid the foundation for concepts such as due process, trial by jury, and protection of individual rights, which are fundamental to modern democratic societies.