Chapter 4: America’s Political Heritage
Name: __ANSWER KEY___________
Civics
Date: ___________________
Block: __________
Chapter 4: America’s Political Heritage
Articles of Confederation Weaknesses
There are many weaknesses in our nation’s government under the Articles of Confederation. The lack of a
president or leader to head the national government left the nation without strong leadership. Congress had
trouble passing laws because a vote of nine states needed to pass a law. There was no government
department or official to see that laws were enforced. There were no national courts to judge lawbreakers.
ARTICLES OF CONFEDERATION VERSUS THE CONSTITUTION
Directions: Place the statements below in the appropriate boxes. Decide if the statement is referring to The Articles
of Confederation or the Constitution.
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.
10.
State gave national government many powers
States kept most of the power
No president or chief executive
A president to head our nation’s government
Only congress many coin money
No system of national courts
Congress could not draft soldiers into service
System of national courts authorized
Laws difficult to pass
Congress had no powers to collect taxes
11. Laws easier to pass
12. Congress responsible directly to people
(states)
13. Congress given powers to collect taxes
14. Congress many regulate trade
15. Congress could not regulate trade
16. Congress and states coin money
17. Congress responsible to the states
18. Congress can establish armed forces (military)
Weaknesses of Government Established by
the Articles of Confederation
One House Congress –
No President
2. States kept most of the power
Strengths of American Government
Established By The Constitution
Two House Congress –
A Strong President
1. States gave national government many powers
3. No president or chief executive
4. A president to head our nation’s government
6. No system of national courts
5. Only congress many coin money
7. Congress could not drat soldiers into service
8. System of national courts authorized
9. Laws difficult to pass
11. Laws easier to pass
10. Congress had no powers to collect taxes
12. Congress responsible directly to people (states)
15. Congress could not regulate trade
13. Congress given powers to collect taxes
16. Congress and states coin money
14. Congress may regulate trade
17. Congress responsible to the states
18. Congress can establish armed forces
Chapter 4: America’s Political Heritage
Civics