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

Virginia’s constitution included a bill of rights

Several other states followed Virginia’s 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)? “