From the Articles of Confederation to the Constitution — Practice · Grade 7 Social Studies

Chapter: Constitutional Government & Its Limits

What this practice covers

By the end of From the Articles of Confederation to the Constitution you should be able to:

8 questions, written answer, each with a worked explanation.

Vocabulary used: context, primary source, interpretation, confederation, ratification.

Problem 1

Why is weak national power not simply evidence that designers forgot government?
Answer and explanation

They deliberately valued state authority and restraints on concentration. Explain those aims together with the practical costs of the chosen arrangement.

Problem 2

Why does an agreed contribution not automatically pay a national debt?
Answer and explanation

Actual collection and payment must occur. Authority, state decisions, resources, and timing affect whether a request becomes revenue.

Problem 3

Why should the Articles’ weaknesses not erase the Northwest Ordinance?
Answer and explanation

A government can accomplish some tasks while facing limitations in others. Specific achievements and difficulties support a more accurate comparison than a universal failure label.

Problem 4

Does drafting in 1787 prove every state immediately accepted the Constitution?
Answer and explanation

No. Ratification required later conventions and decisions. Examine dates, arguments, and the required threshold instead of treat drafting as universal acceptance.

Problem 5

Invented fiscal exercise: Congress requests 100 units in state contributions for a stated obligation, but receives 60 by the deadline. No reason for nonpayment is supplied. Calculate the shortfall and explain the institutional issue without inventing motives.
Answer and explanation

The shortfall is 100−60=40 units. Dependence on state contributions can create a coordination problem when receipts do not match obligations. The numbers do not show whether delay, lack of resources, disagreement, or another cause explains the difference. Dated correspondence and payment records would test that question.

Subtract receipts from the obligation.

Distinguish a request from authority and collection.

Identify the missing evidence about causes and possible responses.

Response criteria

  • Describe the historical context and institutions accurately.
  • Connect relevant evidence with an explained claim or calculation.
  • Represent particular perspectives without stereotypes or invented testimony.
  • Identify an assumption, evidentiary limit, or distinction that qualifies the conclusion.

Problem 6

Does giving a government direct taxing power prove it will always make fair or effective choices?
Answer and explanation

No. It changes a capacity. Fairness and effectiveness require evidence about rules, representation, decisions, administration, burdens, and outcomes.

Response criteria

  • Describe the historical context and institutions accurately.
  • Connect relevant evidence with an explained claim or calculation.
  • Represent particular perspectives without stereotypes or invented testimony.
  • Identify an assumption, evidentiary limit, or distinction that qualifies the conclusion.

Problem 7

Put Articles adoption, full Articles ratification, and constitutional drafting in order.
Answer and explanation

1777 adoption; 1781 completed Articles ratification; 1787 constitutional drafting.

Problem 8

What is one achievement associated with the Articles-era Congress?
Answer and explanation

The Northwest Ordinance of 1787 established a territorial governing and state-admission framework, with a slavery prohibition under its terms and consequences needing further contextual study.

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