Foundations of U.S. History
Mr. Nazer
Room 120
SCORE
Name:________________________________________________ Date:__________________ Hour:__________
Chapter 9 Creating a Nation
Section 1 Forming a Union
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12
ASSIGNMENT Forming a Union
Answer the questions below based on the readings in your textbook.
The Continental Congress adopted the Articles of Confederation, the first constitution of the United States, on November 15, 1777.
However, ratification of the Articles of Confederation by all thirteen states did not occur until March 1, 1781. The Articles created
a loose confederation of sovereign states and a weak central government with no national power of taxation—leaving most of the
power with the state governments. The need for a stronger Federal government soon became apparent and eventually led to the
Constitutional Convention in 1787. The present United States Constitution replaced the Articles of Confederation on March 4,
1789.
1. Fearing power in government would fall into the hands of a
few individuals, the Colonies created a two-branch,
governmental system. What were the two branches?
2. By 1804, many Northern States had passed laws prohibiting
the importation of what?
3. If a State did have a Bill of Rights it usually only protected
which two rights?
7. Why did the States favor a “loose alliance” over a strong
centralized government?
8. The Articles of Confederation made what group the chief
lawmaking body in the country?
9. The Confederation (formerly Continental) Congress could
make laws but lacked the power to what?
4. In 1776, citizens considered themselves less citizens of one
nation and more citizens of what?
10. States often disagreed on issues. What third branch of
government did the Articles fail to create to mediate these
problems?
5. What was the first official document that created a
“national” government?
11. How many votes did each State send to the Confederation
Congress? Why was this a problem?
6. Certain States refused to ratify the Articles of Confederation
because what lingering issue?
12. The Confederation Congress also lacked the ability to
collect what.