1. What were the accomplishments of the Articles of Confederation? 

Answer.

Some of accomplishment under the Articles of Confederation includes;

- It guided the US in formulating favorable terms in the signing of Treaty of Paris in 1783, even though the negotiators such as John Adam, John Jay and Benjamin Franklin had little or no negotiation experience.

- It helped in keeping the 13 states together even after the war since the government did not threaten the States power. The States remained in the United States long enough to experience the benefits of their unity. This helped the country to take victory over Britain gaining their independency.

- Aided in land Ordinance of 1785, where they agree to sell some land for territorial expansion. The funds from the sale would help in funding government programs such as education which was necessary for the growth of the country and also it was used in debt payment.

- The Northwest Ordinance in 1787, the articles helped in making the territory in a state which would have basic democratic rights such as no slavery, freedom of speech and press as well as free trial and jury.

 

2) What were the weaknesses of the Articles of Confederation?

Answer.

-The article did not establish a national court system which would protect United States citizens' rights. 

- The congress had no power to control the national currency making each state to have its own currency, Congress was also unable to control international trade since States imported products without paying taxes to the congress.

- The document affected national unity, the main issue was slavery which the South States felt if abolished would affect them economically since slavers were the source of free labor that they much needed in their plantations, North states did not require slaves in their manufacturing and processing industries hence advocated for abolishment of slavery in the northern states. 

 

3) What disruptive event in Massachusetts showed the weakness of the Articles of Confederation?

Shay's Rebellion

This was a rebellion which occurred in August 1786 where farmers were revolting against taxes imposed by a corrupt Massachusetts state legislators. The rebellion was led by Daniel Shays, and this led to strengthening of the federal government and formation of the national constitution which would regulate the powers of the states. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Step-by-step explanation

4) Which group supported a strong central government and wanted to ratify the new Constitution? 

Answer:

Federalist. They favored a more powerful central government, their members were more educated and wealthier and included George Washington, John Adams and other. 

 

5) Which group supported states' rights and was not in favor of the new Constitution?

Answer

Anti-Federalists

They were mostly republicans from the South who included example John Randolph. They felt that the constitution had given the central government more power and that it had no provision for bill of rights.