#AP US History: The Road to the Constitution 🚀

Hey there, future APUSH superstar! Let's break down the critical period after the Revolution and how it led to the Constitution. We'll make sure you're feeling confident and ready to ace that exam!

#The First Attempts at Self-Governance

#State Constitutions 📜

• After declaring independence, each state created its own constitution. Think of these as the first experiments in self-rule.
• Key features included:
  • Bills of Rights: Protecting individual liberties. 💡
  • Yearly Elections: Keeping legislators accountable.
  • Weak Executive Branches: Reflecting a fear of centralized power.
• Massachusetts set a precedent by submitting its constitution to the people for ratification – a process later used for the national Constitution.

#The Articles of Confederation: A First Try 🏛️

• The Articles of Confederation were the first attempt at a national government. Think of it as a 'loose confederation' of states.
• It established a weak central government with limited powers, such as:
  • Conducting foreign relations
  • Regulating trade between states
• Most power remained with the states. The central government could not tax or regulate commerce.


#Weaknesses of the Articles 📉

• No power to tax: The government was always broke. 💸
• No power to regulate trade: States were fighting over trade, making it hard to do business. 😠
• No power to enforce laws: The government was toothless. 🦷
• 9/13 states needed to enact laws: Gridlock was the norm. 🚦
• 13/13 states needed to amend the Articles: Impossible to fix problems. 🤯
• No executive branch: No one to coordinate the government. 🤷
• No national court system: No way to settle disputes between states. ⚖️

#Strengths of the Articles 💪

• Despite its weaknesses, the Articles had two major strengths:
  1. Land Ordinance of 1785:
     • Organized western lands into townships and public schools.
     • Set a precedent for public funding of education. 🏫
     • Allowed the government to sell land to pay off national debt. 💰
  2. Northwest Ordinance of 1787:
     • Established a process for new states to join the Union with equal status. 🤝
     • Banned slavery in the Northwest Territory. 🚫
     • Set up a system for territorial governance.

#Shay's Rebellion: The Breaking Point 💥

• Shay's Rebellion was a series of armed protests in Massachusetts (1786-1787) led by Revolutionary War veteran Daniel Shays. 🧑‍🌾
• Causes:
  • Heavy debt and high taxes on farmers. 💰
  • Foreclosures and seizures of property. 🏘️
  • Lack of government support for struggling veterans.
• Farmers protested, marched on courthouses, and even attacked a federal armory. ⚔️
• The rebellion was put down, but it exposed the weaknesses of the Articles of Confederation and the need for a stronger central government. 💡


#Final Exam Focus 🎯

• High-Priority Topics:
  • Weaknesses of the Articles of Confederation
  • Land Ordinance of 1785 and Northwest Ordinance of 1787
  • Shay's Rebellion and its impact
• Common Question Types:
  • Multiple Choice: Expect questions on the specific powers (or lack thereof) under the Articles, and the impact of the ordinances.
  • Short Answer: Be ready to explain the causes and effects of Shay's Rebellion. ✍️
  • Free Response: You might need to analyze the weaknesses of the Articles or compare/contrast them with the Constitution. 📝
• Last-Minute Tips:
  • Time Management: Quickly identify the main point of each question and focus your answer. ⏱️
  • Common Pitfalls: Don't get bogged down in the details; focus on the big picture and key concepts. 🖼️
  • Strategies: Use the documents to support your arguments, and always connect your points back to the question. 🔗

#Practice Questions

Practice Question

#Multiple Choice Questions

1. Which of the following was a major weakness of the Articles of Confederation? (A) It gave too much power to the states. (B) It did not establish a national currency. (C) It lacked the power to tax and regulate commerce. (D) It created a strong executive branch.

2. The Northwest Ordinance of 1787 is significant because it: (A) Established the principle of judicial review. (B) Created a system for admitting new states to the Union. (C) Resolved the issue of slavery in all U.S. territories. (D) Established a national bank.

3. Shay's Rebellion was primarily caused by: (A) Disputes over land ownership. (B) The lack of a national army. (C) Economic grievances of farmers and smallholders. (D) Foreign interference in domestic affairs.

#Free Response Question

Evaluate the extent to which the Articles of Confederation were effective in governing the newly formed United States.

Point-by-Point Scoring Breakdown:

• Thesis (1 point): A clear, historically defensible thesis that evaluates the effectiveness of the Articles of Confederation.
  • Example: "While the Articles of Confederation had some limited successes, its inherent weaknesses ultimately rendered it ineffective in governing the newly formed United States."
• Argument Development (2 points):
  • Evidence (1 point): Provides specific historical evidence to support the thesis, such as:
    • The inability to tax or regulate commerce.
    • The lack of a national army or court system.
    • The difficulty in passing laws or amending the Articles.
  • Analysis (1 point): Explains how the evidence supports the argument, such as:
    • The economic problems caused by the lack of taxing power.
    • The internal conflicts caused by the lack of trade regulation.
    • The inability to respond to crises like Shay's Rebellion.
• Synthesis (1 point): Connects the argument to a broader historical context, such as:
  • The transition from the Articles to the Constitution.
  • The debate over states' rights versus federal power.
  • The impact of the Articles on the development of the U.S. government.

You've got this! Remember to stay calm, review your notes, and trust your preparation. You're going to do great! 💪