Lesson 1: Articles of Confederation

OBJECTIVE:
Students will learn how the Articles of Confederation created
a weak central government and a loose alliance of
independent states.
KEY WORDS:
constitution: a document that sets out laws, principles,
organization, and processes for government
alliance: agreement between nations to aid and protect
each other
bill of rights: list of freedoms that the government
promises to protect
Articles of Confederation: first American constitution in
1777
The States Write Constitutions
States wrote constitutions
for 2 reasons

Virginias constitution
included a bill of rights


Several other states followed Virginias lead

STATE GOVERNMENTS
The Articles of Confederation
Delegates at Continental Congress believed
colonies needed to be united by a national govt

States feared a large and powerful central
government

PROCESSING: Why would states be fearful
of a controlling, central government that had
the power to tell them what to do and how to
do it?


Continental Congress
approved first American
constitution (Articles of
Confederation) in 1777
after MUCH DEBATE


Power of Congress
Each state sent 1 delegate to Congress = 1 vote
per state

NO PRESIDENT to execute laws

NO POLICE/MILITARY to enforce the laws

NO SYSTEM OF COURTS to settle conflicts
between states

PROCESSING: In looking at these 3
limitations, what is a potential problem with
this system?
Weaknesses of the Confederation
Conflicts between states

Money problems
Virginia State Currency
Maryland State Currency
Northwest Ordinance
1787: set up government for Northwest Territory
(Ohio, Indiana, Michigan, Illinois, & Wisconsin)

Provided an example of a good way to admit
new states to the nation

One of the only successes that stemmed from
the Articles

Map of Northwest Territory, 1787
QuickTime and a
decompressor
are needed to see this picture.
Shays Rebellion
Daniel Shays and
1,000 other farmers
stormed courthouses
in Massachusetts in
a revolt against the
mistreatment of the
farmers
Constitutional Convention is Called
Congress realized the Articles were not successful

Constitutional Convention was called in Philadelphia in
May 1787 to create a stronger, more structured
constitution

HOMEWORK: Report out on this question:
If you were attending the Constitutional Convention in
Philadelphia, what two goals would you have? Why
are they important to you (as an American)?