1. Articles of Confederation
Why were the Articles of Confederation too weak to govern the nation?

3. States Write Constitutions
May, 1776 – Congress asks states to organize governments
By 1880 all states have a state constitution ( a plan of government)

4. Limits on power
States limit the power of the governor – fear giving too much power to one person
Divide power between governor and legislature; most set up bicameral (two-house legislatures) to divide the work of government
All states had a republican form of gov’t
In a republic, people choose representatives to govern them

5. White males who were at least 21, owned a certain amount of property, or paid a certain amount of taxes could vote
Some states allowed free African American males to vote
State legislatures became most powerful branch of government

6. New Republic
People agree national government should be a republic – a government in which citizens rule through elected representatives
People disagreed on the powers the national government should have

8. Articles of Confederation
Using pages 178 – 179 Create a foldable showing the powers of the National Government under the Articles of Confederation and the weaknesses of the Articles

9. Confederation Government Achievements
Negotiated peace treaty with Great Britain
Expanded foreign trade
Helped settle and govern western lands

10. Summary
Why did most states limit the power of their governors and divide their legislatures into two bodies?
How might the limited powers of the Articles of Confederation affect Congress as the nation developed?
Activity Suggestions: Illustrate what bicameral means, illustrate the idea of a republic government, create a comic strip showing a weakness of the Articles of Confederation