WEST-E Social Studies Practice Test 2025 – Comprehensive All-in-One Study Guide for Exam Success

The U.S. Constitution, signed in 1787, was a pivotal document aimed at establishing a stronger federal government compared to what was previously provided under the Articles of Confederation. The Constitution was drafted in response to the weaknesses of the Articles, which had created a loose confederation of states with a decentralized government that struggled to address issues like taxation and interstate commerce.

By creating a framework for a government with executive, legislative, and judicial branches, the Constitution was designed to ensure a system of checks and balances, provide for a stronger national presence, and better manage the needs of a growing nation. Its adoption marked a significant shift in American governance by allowing for a more effective and cohesive federal administration.

The other options, while historically significant, do not pertain to the creation of a stronger federal government in the same way. The Mayflower Compact established a form of self-governance for the Pilgrims in 1620, the Articles of Confederation symbolized the initial attempt at a unified government but was ultimately inadequate, and the Emancipation Proclamation was a wartime executive order issued in 1863 that focused on abolishing slavery, not on the structure of government.