1. Topic 1b – A New nation Objectives:
List all the reasons for the failure of America’s first government under the Articles of Confederation by creating a list of the Articles’ problems and using a sentence to explain why the states were unhappy with its structure.
Analyze why there was a debate for the Constitution by creating a chart that organizes the different opinions of the delegates and what they eventually gained from the convention.

2. *SPOILER ALERT America wins the Revolutionary War.
For more details, consult your local History channel (H2 is better) show to learn about the war, or read your textbook for an overview of the fighting.
Brave men met on the field, they shot each other, we shot more of them, they didn’t commit the strength of their empire to the cause, we “won.”
The bigger question is what do we do after we’ve won? Where do we go from here?
For the Revolution, the states united under a government created by the Articles of Confederation, after they won, it had some problems keeping the states united.

3. Articles Fail Articles of Confederation
An agreement of the 13 original states to unify and form a singular government.
Each state acts like its own mini country.
Federal government has little power over the states.
Formed a united government to fight England during the war but not much after it was over.
No one state was in charge, no person was in charge, but they all have to work together if they want to accomplish anything.
Why are all the early Americans trashing the Articles of Confederation in the cartoon?
Use your phone to google a comparison between northern and southern states in the 1700s. Using evidence from a source you find, why wouldn’t the states get along with each other after the American Revolution?

4. Articles Fail Federal government:
Had to ask the states for soldiers
Couldn’t amend or change the government unless all 13 states agreed (needed 13/13 not 9/13)
Didn’t have a full-time executive/president to carry out laws.
Couldn’t prevent a state from making a private arrangements with each other.
Couldn’t regulate/control trade between states.
Couldn’t settle fights between the states.
Couldn’t tax the people to pay off war debts.
All led to a rebellion (Shays’ Rebellion).
Rebellion leads to the states asking for a new federal government.
Experiment 1 leads to failure. Time for round 2.
Why do you think the Articles of Confederation didn’t allow for a full time leader of the country? List at least two different reasons. (hint: think of who would become president)
Based on the information you see here, which enlightenment philosophy is at play? Can you give a reason why?

5. Constitutional Convention
Delegates go to Philadelphia to create new government.
Wanted a stronger central government to solve problems between and in states.
Couldn’t decide on:
Which states have more power in Congress.
How to deal with slavery and its related problems.
Why do people have a lot of pride in the state they come from? How do you express that pride in California?
(Critical Thinking) Why would the delegates to the convention disagree with the two points mentioned above? (if you don’t remember what Congress does, google it.)

6. Constitutional Convention
Drafting debate:
Which states should have more power in government?
Virginia Plan: the states with the largest populations.
New Jersey Plan: no one, they should all be equal.
Can Southern states count slaves toward their populations for government?
Slave owning states: yes, absolutely, what are you crazy?
Non-slave owning states: no, yes you are crazy, slaves aren’t citizens so why should they count?
Should we separate the power of the federal government so it’s not too powerful?
All: yes, into three branches, the executive, legislative, and judicial.
What early aspects of colonial government do you see in the delegates using to form a new government here?
Imagine we had another constitutional convention today and you were a delegate. Why would you want your state to have more power in the government over others? Are there issues you would like fixed? Are there projects you would want to work on?

7. Constitutional Convention
COMPROMISE! (an agreement or settlement)
The Great Compromise
Combines the Virginia and New Jersey Plan
Members of the House: Based on States population
Members of the Senate: Equal at 2 per state
3/5 Compromise
Used to please the South into joining
Slaves count as 3/5 a person toward population 
The Constitution’s language is written down and sent to the states where they can approve or reject the work.
Congress
House of Representatives
Senate
Explain WHY the number of members in the House of Representatives is based on state population and the Senate is two per state.
The ability to make laws is important as it establishes the rules for our country. Did the delegates do a good job? Why or why not?
Consider the fact that this convention was comprised of wealthy, white, educated Americans. What does this mean for the foundation of our government as we progress throughout history?

8. End Results
List the reasons for the failure of the Articles of Confederation in this box.
Organize the different opinions of the delegates into a chart of some kind. It must also include what they eventually gained from the convention.