GED Social Studies TestCivics and GovernmentMedium
A civic group is studying the historical development of the U.S. government. They discuss how the weaknesses of the Articles of Confederation, particularly its inability to effectively tax and regulate interstate commerce, led to the Constitutional Convention. The resulting Constitution created a stronger central government with defined powers, but also included a system of shared power between the national and state governments. This evolution from a loose confederation to a system with both national and state authority represents a shift towards:
- AOligarchy
- BUnitary system
- CTotalitarianism
- DFederalism
Show answer & explanationAnswer & explanation
Correct answer: D. Federalism
The scenario describes a shift from a weak central government (Articles of Confederation) to a system where power is shared between a stronger national government and state governments. This division of power is the defining characteristic of federalism.
Why the other options are wrong
- A. Oligarchy is a form of government in which a small group of people hold all the power, not relevant to the described power division.
- B. A Unitary system is where the central government holds all the power, and local governments are subordinate, which is not what the U.S. adopted.
- C. Totalitarianism is a system where the government has total control over all aspects of public and private life, which is the opposite of the U.S. system.
Federalism (Historical Shift)
The transition from a confederal system (Articles of Confederation) to a federal system (U.S. Constitution) where governmental power is divided and shared between a strong national government and state governments.
- Articles of Confederation: weak central government, strong states.
- U.S. Constitution: stronger national government, but states retain significant power.
- A compromise between a unitary system and a confederation.
- Ensures both national unity and local autonomy.
Memory trick: From Articles to Constitution, Federalism fixed the power problem.