The Need for a New Plan Review

Legislature – government agency responsible for making laws. Terms Militia – military force that is called up for service during emergencies. Charter – legal document issued by governments to define the purpose and privileges of corporations. Legislature – government agency responsible for making laws. Tariff – charge or tax placed on certain goods by a government. Revenue – income produced from a particular source.

Reviewing Social Studies Skills Read the quotation below, which was written by George Washington in 1780. Do these words suggest that Washington favored or opposed a strong central government? “ I see one head gradually changing into 13….I see the powers of Congress declining too fast for the consequences and respect which is due to them as a good representative body of America.” His words show he favored a strong central government. He sees “one head,” the central government, turning into “13,” the state governments. He also sees that “Congress” is losing “respect” and it is declining “too fast.”

Reviewing the Main Ideas a. What issues did Americans face after they declared their independence from Britain? The new nation had to win a war against England, organize new state governments, and establish a national government.

b. List three ways in which the Articles of Confederation weakened the new national government. Under the Articles, the national government lacked the power to raise taxes or regulate trade. In addition, the government needed the approval of at least 9 of the 13 states to pass new laws. Therefore, the objections of only a few states could prevent important legislation from being enacted.

How did Shay’s Rebellion change people’s opinions about the Articles of Confederation? Shay’s Rebellion showed that the national government had so little authority that it was unable to maintain order in the land.

Critical Thinking Why do you think the Articles of Confederation were more successful during the Revolutionary War than they were after the war ended? During the Revolutionary War the states were united by their desire to defeat a common enemy-the British. After the war ended, the states turned their attention back to their own problems and concerns. As a result they were more likely to fall into disputes and conflicts with other states.