1. The Articles of Confederation
“A firm League of friendship”

2. Why do we need government?

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

4. 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

5. 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

6. 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

7. 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!

8. 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!

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

10. Shay’s Rebellion

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