The 13 states wanted a weak national government because
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7 points
A: they'd just left a strong government of British rule and feared if they created another strong national government, it would be like Great Britain
B: they were not aware of how many states would need a central government, so they could not adequately prepare
C: they believed that a strong national government would infringe on their individual rights and freedoms
Both options A and B played a role in why the 13 states wanted a weak national government. Here's a step-by-step breakdown:
1. Option A: They had just left a strong government of British rule and feared if they created another strong national government, it would be like Great Britain.
- After declaring independence from Britain, the 13 states wanted to ensure that they did not create a new government that would become as powerful and oppressive as the British government they had just fought against.
- They believed that a weak national government would prevent the concentration of power and avoid replicating the oppressive system they had experienced under British rule.
2. Option B: They were not aware of how many states would need a central government, so they could not adequately prepare.
- During the initial stages of creating a new government, the 13 states faced uncertainty about the number of future states that would join the Union.
- They did not have a clear understanding of the scale and diversity of the potential future states and could not adequately prepare for a strong national government that would effectively represent all states.
In summary, the fear of creating a government like Great Britain and the uncertainty about the number of future states influenced the desire for a weak national government among the 13 states.
To determine which option is correct, we need to analyze the historical context surrounding the formation of the United States. The 13 states, known as the Thirteen Colonies, had recently fought a Revolutionary War to gain independence from British rule. After experiencing the centralized authority of the British government, they were wary of creating a similarly strong national government. This sentiment is captured in option A.
To verify this answer, we can consider the primary historical documents of the time, such as the Declaration of Independence, the Articles of Confederation, and the Federalist Papers. These sources provide insights into the motivations and concerns of the founding fathers.
Option B suggests that the states were not aware of the need for a central government, which is not entirely accurate. The states recognized the necessity of a central authority to address issues such as defense, interstate trade, and foreign affairs. However, they aimed to establish a government with limited powers to prevent the type of concentrated power they experienced under British rule.
Therefore, the correct answer is option A: The 13 states wanted a weak national government because they had just left a strong government of British rule and feared that creating another strong national government would be like Great Britain.