The first constitution that established a union of sovereign states with a weak central government and no strong executive.

The first constitution that established a union of sovereign states with a weak central government and no strong executive.

• A. Constitution
• B. Dred Scott v. Sandford
• C. Articles of Confederation
• D. English Bill of Rights

Answer: (C)

The key idea here is how power was organized between the states and the national level. The Articles of Confederation set up a loose federation where each state kept its sovereignty and the central government was intentionally weak. There was no real national executive to lead or enforce laws, and the central Congress could handle only a few limited tasks, like declaring war or conducting diplomacy, but it could not tax or regulate trade. This meant the national government depended on states for money and enforcement, making it hard to resolve national issues or unite the country effectively. Because of these limits, the Articles created a fragile and unsteady union, which highlighted the need for a stronger framework. That frustration helped drive the creation of a new constitution that established a more powerful federal government with an executive branch and a national judiciary, along with checks and balances to prevent tyranny. The other options don’t fit because they refer to something different: the Constitution later created a stronger central government with a president; Dred Scott v. Sandford is a Supreme Court ruling about slavery; and the English Bill of Rights is a British document from a different country and era.

The key idea here is how power was organized between the states and the national level. The Articles of Confederation set up a loose federation where each state kept its sovereignty and the central government was intentionally weak. There was no real national executive to lead or enforce laws, and the central Congress could handle only a few limited tasks, like declaring war or conducting diplomacy, but it could not tax or regulate trade. This meant the national government depended on states for money and enforcement, making it hard to resolve national issues or unite the country effectively.

Because of these limits, the Articles created a fragile and unsteady union, which highlighted the need for a stronger framework. That frustration helped drive the creation of a new constitution that established a more powerful federal government with an executive branch and a national judiciary, along with checks and balances to prevent tyranny.

The other options don’t fit because they refer to something different: the Constitution later created a stronger central government with a president; Dred Scott v. Sandford is a Supreme Court ruling about slavery; and the English Bill of Rights is a British document from a different country and era.