Test Articles of Confederation Knowledge

Under the Articles of Confederation, the Confederation Congress was the only central authority but lacked enforcement power. By the mid-1780s, it was ineffective and unpopular, prompting efforts to amend the Articles.

Alexander Hamilton served as the first Secretary of the Treasury. He strongly supported a powerful national government and helped shape the U.S. financial system.

James Madison was a Federalist leader who helped call the Annapolis Convention and later played a central role in drafting the Constitution.

The Founding Fathers were delegates who met from May to September 1787 to draft the U.S. Constitution.

The Convention was called to reform the Articles of Confederation but ultimately produced a new Constitution.

The Virginia Plan proposed three branches of government and a bicameral legislature based on population.

Edmund Randolph formally introduced the Virginia Plan at the Convention.

William Paterson proposed the New Jersey Plan, favoring equal representation for states.

Popular Sovereignty means that government authority comes from the consent of the people.

Federalists believed a strong national government was necessary for stability and growth.

John Jay served as Chief Justice and negotiated Jay’s Treaty with Britain in 1794.

Publius was the shared pen name used by Hamilton, Madison, and Jay.

The Federalist Papers were essays written to persuade states to ratify the Constitution.

Patrick Henry opposed a strong central government and demanded a Bill of Rights.

Samuel Adams supported limiting federal power and protecting individual liberties.

Anti-Federalists feared the Constitution lacked safeguards for individual rights.

The Great Compromise balanced state and population-based representation in Congress.

Madison’s leadership earned him the title “Father of the Constitution.”

Federalists argued the Articles were too weak to govern effectively.

The U.S. Constitution replaced the Articles to create a stronger federal system.