Question

1. why was the central government weak under the articles of confederation?

hint: look for what the government could not do, such as having a president or court system. (see page 152-153)

1. what was the \great compromise\ during the constitutional convention?

hint: it solved the argument between big states and small states about how many representatives they would have in congress. (see page 165)

Explanation:

Question 11: Why was the central government weak under the Articles of Confederation?

The Articles of Confederation established a confederation of sovereign states, with the central government having limited powers. It lacked the authority to tax, regulate commerce between states, enforce laws, or maintain a strong military. States retained most power, leading to a weak central government unable to address national issues effectively.

The Great Compromise (or Connecticut Compromise) resolved the dispute between large and small states over congressional representation. It created a bicameral legislature: the Senate (equal representation, 2 senators per state) and the House of Representatives (representation based on state population).

Answer:

The central government was weak under the Articles of Confederation because it had limited powers: it couldn’t tax, regulate interstate commerce, enforce laws, or maintain a strong military. States held most authority, so the central government struggled to address national issues.

Question 12: What was the "Great Compromise" during the Constitutional Convention?