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Quizzes > History > Regional History

Test Your Knowledge: Articles of Confederation Quiz

Ready to tackle these Articles of Confederation questions? Start now!

Difficulty: Moderate
2-5mins
Learning OutcomesCheat Sheet
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History buffs and curious learners, ready to challenge your knowledge? Dive into our free Articles of Confederation Quiz and explore America's first constitution! With thought-provoking articles of confederation questions, engaging US Articles of Confederation trivia, and a dynamic Confederation history quiz, you'll test your grasp on each state's powers and key challenges. Find out how you score instantly and uncover fun facts in this quick articles of confederation test online. Don't wait - take the quiz now and see if you can ace the articles of confederation quiz !

In what year did the Articles of Confederation officially go into effect?
1789
1781
1778
1776
The Articles of Confederation were ratified by all thirteen states and went into effect in 1781, providing the first national government framework for the United States. They remained in force until the current Constitution was adopted in 1789. The delay between drafting and effect was due to slow ratification by Maryland. Learn more
Under the Articles of Confederation, how many branches of government existed at the national level?
Two
Three
One
Four
Under the Articles of Confederation, there was only a single branch at the national level: the legislative branch, known as the Confederation Congress. There were no separate executive or judicial branches under this system. This design reflected the former colonies' fear of centralized power. Learn more
What type of legislature did the Articles of Confederation establish?
Unicameral
Bicameral
Tricameral
Conciliar
The Articles of Confederation set up a unicameral legislature, meaning it consisted of a single chamber called the Confederation Congress. Each state had one vote regardless of its size or population. This structure aimed to ensure equal representation among the states. Learn more
For major decisions under the Articles of Confederation, how many states had to agree for passage?
12
7
13
9
The Articles required the approval of nine out of thirteen states for the passage of most major laws, such as declarations of war or treaties. This supermajority ensured broad consensus but often made decision-making slow and difficult. Criticism of this high threshold contributed to calls for a stronger federal government. Learn more
Which power was granted to the Confederation Congress under the Articles?
Regulate interstate commerce
Coin money
Maintain a standing army without state approval
Levy taxes directly on citizens
Under the Articles of Confederation, Congress had the power to coin money and regulate its value. However, it lacked authority to levy taxes directly on citizens or regulate commerce between states. This limited fiscal and economic power hindered the national government's effectiveness. Learn more
Which event highlighted the weaknesses of the Articles by demonstrating the federal government's inability to maintain order?
Stono Rebellion
Boston Tea Party
Shays' Rebellion
Whiskey Rebellion
Shays' Rebellion, an armed uprising in Massachusetts (1786 - 1787), exposed the federal government's inability under the Articles to maintain public order or support state governments in quelling internal disturbances. The lack of enforcement power led to widespread concern among political leaders. This crisis fueled calls for a stronger central government and ultimately led to the Constitutional Convention. Learn more
What was the official name of the national legislature under the Articles of Confederation?
Continental Congress
Federal Assembly
Congress of the Confederation
Confederation Congress
The national legislature under the Articles of Confederation was commonly referred to as the Confederation Congress. It was the successor to the Second Continental Congress and served as the sole federal authority until 1789. Each state delegation had one vote regardless of its size. Learn more
Which state was the last to ratify the Articles of Confederation in 1781?
Pennsylvania
New Hampshire
Delaware
Maryland
Maryland was the last of the original thirteen states to ratify the Articles of Confederation, doing so on March 1, 1781. Maryland held out until states with western land claims agreed to cede those territories to the national government. This ratification completed the federation of states under the Articles. Learn more
Which ordinance under the Articles created a framework for the settlement and statehood process in the Northwest Territory?
Ordinance of Nullification
Missouri Compromise
Northwest Ordinance of 1787
Land Ordinance of 1785
The Northwest Ordinance of 1787 established a government for the Northwest Territory and set a path to statehood for territories with populations above 60,000. It also outlawed slavery in the territory and protected civil liberties. This ordinance is seen as one of the key achievements of the Confederation Congress. Learn more
Why was the Confederation Congress unable to effectively pay its war debts?
It had no printing capabilities
Currency was backed by gold only
It lacked authority to levy taxes on citizens
Foreign powers seized U.S. revenues
Under the Articles of Confederation, Congress could request funds from states but had no power to impose taxes directly on individuals. States often failed to meet their quotas, leaving the national government perpetually underfunded. This fiscal impotence undermined national credit and operations. Learn more
Which Article of Confederation extended an invitation for Canada to join the union under the same terms as other states?
Article XIII
Article VII
Article V
Article XI
Article XI of the Articles of Confederation offered an invitation to Canada to join the United States on the same footing as the original states. This provision reflected the aspirational vision of the new nation but was never realized. Canada remained outside the union. Learn more
Under the Articles of Confederation, how many votes did each state delegation have in Congress?
One
Three
Two
Proportional to population
Each state delegation to the Confederation Congress had one vote, regardless of the number of delegates present or the state's population. This equal representation was designed to protect the interests of smaller states. Unanimous consent was required for amendments, further emphasizing state sovereignty. Learn more
Which significant peace treaty did the government under the Articles successfully negotiate and ratify?
Pinckney's Treaty
Jay's Treaty
Treaty of Ghent
Treaty of Paris, 1783
The Confederation Congress negotiated and ratified the Treaty of Paris in 1783, which officially ended the American Revolutionary War and recognized U.S. independence. This diplomatic success demonstrated that the national government, despite its weaknesses, could conduct foreign affairs. The treaty also established U.S. boundaries. Learn more
What was the main objective of the Land Ordinance of 1785 enacted under the Articles?
Establish state governments in new territories
Recruit settlers for the western army
Create a national banking system
Divide western lands into townships for sale
The Land Ordinance of 1785 provided for the systematic survey and sale of western lands north of the Ohio River. Lands were divided into six-mile square townships, which were further subdivided to facilitate orderly settlement and revenue generation for the Confederation government. This system became a model for later territorial expansion. Learn more
Amendments to the Articles of Confederation required the approval of how many states?
9
Unanimous consent of all states
Simple majority
7
The Articles of Confederation could only be amended with the unanimous consent of all thirteen states. This stringent requirement made it nearly impossible to correct structural problems, contributing to widespread calls for a new constitutional framework. Learn more
Which of the following was NOT a power granted to the Confederation Congress under the Articles?
Regulate interstate commerce
Declare war
Conduct foreign policy
Coin money
The Articles of Confederation did not grant Congress the authority to regulate commerce between the states; instead, each state retained that power. Congress could conduct foreign policy, coin money, and declare war, but economic regulation was left to individual states, causing trade disputes. This omission is often cited as a fundamental weakness of the Articles. Learn more
How were western territories governed under the Articles of Confederation before achieving statehood?
By the Supreme Court
By colonial governors
By the Confederation Congress directly
By tribes through treaties
Under the Articles, Congress had direct authority over western territories and appointed officials to administer them until they reached population thresholds for statehood. This centralized management was a departure from colonial proprietary systems and laid the groundwork for future territorial governance. This demonstrated the Confederation government's limited but pivotal colonial administration role. Learn more
Which convention's report called for a revision of the Articles and ultimately influenced the Constitutional Convention?
Albany Congress
Philadelphia Convention
Mt. Vernon Conference
Annapolis Convention
The Annapolis Convention of 1786 issued a report recommending that the Articles be revised to grant Congress greater power, particularly in regulating commerce. It highlighted broad concerns over the national government's inability to regulate trade. While attendance was limited, its recommendations spurred the calling of the Constitutional Convention in 1787. Learn more
What economic problem arose because states issued their own currencies under the Articles?
Inflation and lack of uniform currency
Federal control of banking
Consistent exchange rates
Deflation due to gold hoarding
States printed and issued their own currencies under the Articles of Confederation, resulting in inconsistent money values and rampant inflation. The lack of a uniform national currency hampered interstate trade and undermined confidence in paper money. This problem eroded public trust in state-issued currency under the Articles. Learn more
Who was the key leader of the 1786 - 1787 uprising in Massachusetts that highlighted the Articles' weaknesses?
Daniel Shays
Thomas Jefferson
Patrick Henry
George Washington
Daniel Shays, a former Revolutionary War captain, led a series of protests by indebted farmers in western Massachusetts against tax and debt policies. The uprising demonstrated the need for a stronger national military response. Shays' Rebellion exposed the Confederation government's impotence in quelling domestic unrest. Learn more
Under the Articles, how many delegates could each state send to Congress at most?
Five
One
Seven
Unlimited
The Articles of Confederation allowed each state to send between two and seven delegates to the Confederation Congress, though each state still had only one vote. Regardless of the number of delegates, each state had equal power in decision-making. This cap was intended to balance representation and manageability. Learn more
Which body was designated as the final arbiter in disputes concerning U.S. land under the Articles?
The Supreme Court
Continental Army Council
Confederation Congress
State supreme courts
Article IX of the Articles of Confederation granted the Confederation Congress the authority to serve as the final arbiter in disputes and differences concerning U.S. territories or between states. This lack of a separate judicial branch meant Congress handled all territorial disputes. There was no national judiciary to hear appeals under this framework. Learn more
What did Article XIII of the Articles of Confederation declare about the duration of the union?
It would expire upon debt repayment
It would last for twenty years
It would be perpetual
It would last until amendments passed
Article XIII stated that the union of the states under the Articles of Confederation should be perpetual, meaning it had no predetermined expiration. This clause emphasized the founders' intent for a lasting confederation. It also bound each state to comply with federal acts. Learn more
Which condition did Maryland insist on before ratifying the Articles of Confederation?
Creation of an executive office
Cession of western land claims by other states
Guarantee of no federal taxes
Equal representation for all states
Maryland delayed ratification until states with extensive western land claims, such as Virginia, agreed to cede those territories to the Confederation government. This ensured the equitable management of western lands and prevented dominance by larger states. This compromise strengthened national unity under the Articles. Learn more
Under the Articles of Confederation, how were the expenses for common defense allocated among the states?
According to elected delegates
In proportion to land value
Equally per state
Based on state population
Article VIII of the Articles of Confederation required that expenses for common defense and other collective needs be defrayed out of a common treasury, with each state contributing in proportion to the value of its land. This apportionment reflected the founders' preference for property-based assessments. It underscores the emphasis on land ownership as a basis for federal contributions. Learn more
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Study Outcomes

  1. Understand Foundational Framework -

    Learn the core objectives and structural design of the Articles of Confederation, providing a clear foundation for America's first national government.

  2. Identify Federal Powers -

    Pinpoint and describe the specific authorities granted to the central government under the Articles through targeted quiz questions.

  3. Analyze Structural Weaknesses -

    Examine key limitations - such as lack of taxation power and interstate disputes - that revealed the Articles' flaws and prompted later reforms.

  4. Evaluate State Obligations -

    Assess each state's duties and contributions under the confederation, highlighting how they balanced state sovereignty with collective governance.

  5. Compare with the U.S. Constitution -

    Contrast the Articles' features with those of the later Constitution to understand major improvements and shifts in federal-state relations.

  6. Apply Knowledge in the Quiz -

    Use your refined understanding to confidently tackle articles of confederation quiz questions and measure your grasp of early American history.

Cheat Sheet

  1. Ratification Timeline and State Sovereignty -

    Under the Articles of Confederation, drafted in 1777 and fully ratified by all 13 states in 1781, each state retained its sovereignty and independence (Library of Congress). To remember the ratification order, use the mnemonic "Mary's Very Jolly New Hampshire Sheep…," standing for Maryland, Virginia, New York, New Hampshire, and the rest in sequence.

  2. Unicameral Legislature with Equal Votes -

    Congress under the Articles consisted of a single chamber where each state cast one vote regardless of population (National Archives). This design highlights why both tiny Rhode Island and populous Virginia had equal say - a key point for articles of confederation questions.

  3. Limited Central Powers -

    The national government could conduct foreign affairs and declare war but lacked authority to levy taxes or enforce laws, leading to the popular mnemonic "Tax? Exec? Judge? No!" (US National Park Service). This weakness often appears in quizzes about the Articles of Confederation quiz and trivia.

  4. Northwest Ordinance Success -

    Despite its flaws, the Confederation Congress passed the Northwest Ordinance of 1787, setting a clear formula - six-mile square townships subdivided into 36 sections - for admitting new states (Ohio History Connection). This achievement is a highlight in any US Articles of Confederation trivia challenge.

  5. Shays' Rebellion and Call for Reform -

    Economic distress and lack of federal power to quell uprisings led to Shays' Rebellion in 1786 - 87, underscoring the need for a stronger union (Smithsonian Institution). This event directly paved the way to the Constitutional Convention, a critical fact for articles of confederation test online.

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