Question

which of the following statements about the confederacys constitution is true?

• it strengthened state sovereignty at the expense of the national government.
• it was similar to the u.s. constitution, but it only had a one-house congress and no judicial branch.
• it left the issue of slavery up to individual states to decide for themselves.
• it doubled as a declaration of war against the northern states and the federal government.

Explanation:

Analyze the Confederate Constitution

The Confederate States Constitution, adopted in March 1861, was modeled closely on the United States Constitution but contained crucial differences regarding state power and slavery. It explicitly declared that each state acted in its "sovereign and independent character," thereby significantly strengthening state sovereignty at the expense of the central government's authority.

Evaluate the first option

The first option states: "It strengthened state sovereignty at the expense of the national government." This is historically accurate. The preamble of the Confederate Constitution emphasized state sovereignty, and the document limited the power of the central Confederate government to levy tariffs, fund internal improvements, or interfere with the institution of slavery, thereby elevating state-level authority.

Evaluate the second option

The second option states: "It was similar to the U.S. Constitution, but it only had a one-house Congress and no judicial branch." This is incorrect. The Confederate Constitution established a bicameral legislature (a Senate and a House of Representatives) and made provisions for a federal judiciary, mirroring the three-branch structure of the U.S. government.

Evaluate the third option

The third option states: "It left the issue of slavery up to individual states to decide for themselves." This is incorrect. The Confederate Constitution explicitly protected and guaranteed the institution of slavery in all Confederate states and territories, preventing any Confederate state from outlawing it.

Evaluate the fourth option

The fourth option states: "It doubled as a declaration of war against the Northern states and the federal government." This is incorrect. It was a framework of government, not a formal declaration of war.

Answer:

• (A) It strengthened state sovereignty at the expense of the national government. (Correct answer)
• (B) It was similar to the U.S. Constitution, but it only had a one-house Congress and no judicial branch.
• (C) It left the issue of slavery up to individual states to decide for themselves.
• (D) It doubled as a declaration of war against the Northern states and the federal government.