The Articles of Confederation “A firm League of friendship”

Why do we need government?

In 1777, the Americans wrote their first plan for government in a document called the Articles of Confederation

The First Attempt: The Articles of Confederation The Articles of Confederation? What’s a confederation?? A confederation is a _________ of individuals _______ together for a _________. group united Make sure students understand we’re talking about the first attempt at a new government. Then give students 2-3 minutes to fill in the first cloze paragraph with these words. Check answers by reading the sentences and pausing for choral response. purpose

The First Attempt: The Articles of Confederation Each state was _________________ and had its own ________________. Each state would send _______________ to the “Congress of the Confederation.” The Congress was the only ____________ government. There was no ___________. In Congress, each state got _______ vote. independent government representatives central Make sure students understand we’re talking about the first attempt at a new government. Then give students 2-3 minutes to fill in the first cloze paragraph with these words. Check answers by reading the sentences and pausing for choral response. President one

The First Attempt: The Articles of Confederation Hey, this sounds great! Wait! Not so fast… States get to keep their ______ and ____________ No _____________ telling the states what to do Congress had the power to create a _________ to ________all the states. Congress had no way to __________ its _______! Congress had no power to collect _________ to pay for the military! The Articles could only be _________ if ______ the states agreed! power independence enforce laws government taxes military protect changed ALL

Congress is too weak to end the conflicts between our states! There were some good things and some bad things about the Articles of Confederation. In general, people felt like the government wasn’t working! Congress is too weak to end the conflicts between our states!

But there was no easy solution… We need a President! Large states should have more say! Down with central government! Small states should have more say! More help for fishermen! Who needs a President? Up with central government! More help for farmers!

Something needed to change, but people didn’t want a central government to have too much power!

Shay’s Rebellion

The states decided to put aside some of their differences and come together to try to solve the problem of forming a new government…