Florida Civic Literacy Practice Exam

Which document served as an early outline for a government centered around states' rights?

1. Constitution of the United States

2. Bill of Rights

3. Articles of Confederation

4. Federalist Papers

The correct answer is: Articles of Confederation

The Articles of Confederation served as the first constitution for the United States and established a government with a strong emphasis on states' rights. Adopted in 1781, it created a loose confederation of sovereign states that retained most of their independence and power. This document limited the authority of the central government, granting it only specific powers while ensuring that the states held the majority of the power and autonomy. Under the Articles, the national government lacked the ability to impose taxes, raise an army, or regulate interstate commerce, which demonstrated a clear preference for a decentralized governmental structure. This framework reflected the concerns of the time regarding centralized authority and the desire to protect the sovereignty and rights of individual states. In contrast, the Constitution of the United States was later drafted to create a stronger federal government, thus shifting the balance of power away from states' rights. The Bill of Rights, while significant in protecting individual liberties, was enacted after the Constitution to address the concerns of those wary of a strong central government. The Federalist Papers were written to advocate for the ratification of the Constitution and did not serve as an outline for a government focused on states' rights.