Encroachments by the States on the federal authority. Examples of this are numerous and repetitions may be forseen where any favorite object of a State shall present a temptation. Among these examples are the wars and treaties of George with the Indians. The unlicensed [treaties] between Virginia and Maryland, and between Pennsylvania and New Jersey.” – James Madison, Vices of the Political System of the United States, May 7, 1787

The above passage indicates what weakness of the Articles of Confederation?

A. No power to collect taxes
Incorrect. This passage indicates the inability of the federal government to control the states and compel them to act.

B. No power to raise an army and navy by itself
Incorrect. This passage indicates the inability of the federal government to control the states and compel them to act.

C. No power to enforce laws and compel the states to act
Correct! This passage indicates the inability of the federal government to control the states and compel them to act

D. No power to coin money
Incorrect. This passage indicates the inability of the federal government to control the states and compel them to act.

Which of the following indicates one of the rare strengths of the Articles of Confederation?

A. Northwest Ordinance of 1787
Correct! The Northwest Ordinance led to the orderly settling of western territories.

B. Barbary Coast Pirate Raids
Incorrect. This Barbary Coast raids showed the inability of the United States to raise a navy or collect money for ransom.

C. State imposed tariff on goods coming through New York
Incorrect. The tariff showed how states improperly treated each other.

D. Diplomacy with the Spanish over New Orleans
Incorrect. The U.S. government had no authority in its negotiations with Spain.

Article II. Each state retains its ___________, freedom, and independence, and every Power, Jurisdiction, and right, which is not by this confederation expressly delegated to the United States, in Congress assembled.

A. Navy
Incorrect. The passage indicates the independent power of states, which is sovereignty.

B. Sovereignty
Correct! The passage indicates the independent power of states, which is its sovereignty.

C. Servitude
Incorrect. The passage indicates the independent power of states, which is sovereignty.

D. Welfare
Incorrect. The passage indicates the independent power of states, which is sovereignty.

Which of the following events most convinced America’s leaders of the near-total inadequacy of the Articles of Confederation?

A. Spanish closing of New Orleans
Incorrect. While the closing of New Orleans was a contributing factor, the federal government’s inability to help end Shays Rebellion was most critical to the scrapping of the Articles of Confederation.

B. British refusal to leave Great Lakes forts
Incorrect. While British refusal to withdraw from its forts was a contributing factor, the federal government’s inability to help end Shays Rebellion was most critical to the scrapping of the Articles of Confederation.

C. Shays' Rebellion
Correct! The federal government’s inability to help end Shays' Rebellion was most critical to the scrapping of the Articles of Confederation.

D. Near-war between New York and New Jersey over tariff disputes
Incorrect. While New Jersey’s plan to force New York into ending its tariff was a contributing factor, the federal government’s inability to help end Shays Rebellion was most critical to the scrapping of the Articles of Confederation.