1. EQ: How did the Articles of Confederation form a government?
12/3/13
Evaluate the cartoon:
EQ: How did the Articles of Confederation form a government?
Identify 2 problems of the AOC
Who is the cartoonist implying ‘has no power’ under the AOC?
Explain the political message, what does the cartoonist mean by, “Rough Sailing Ahead?”
TSWBAT summarize the AOC

2. Objective:
Students will be able to summarize the Articles of Confederation as the first form of government with 80% accuracy
Where does this fit into the ULG for levels 2 and 3?
How do you reach mastery?
TOC page 51: Articles of Confederation

3. 1. The Articles of Confederation
This document was a constitution written during the American Revolution to establish the powers of the new national government.
Unfortunately, the Articles of Confederation were inadequate to define the government of the newly established United States of America.

4. .
2. Central Issue
The central issue in creating a new government was what powers to delegate(give) to the central government versus what powers the states should retain. VS

5. 3. Articles of Confederation
Adopted November 15, 1777
Still at war with Britain
Created by the Continental Congress
Colonists not eager to establish a powerful national government..why?
Took 3 ½ years to ratify or approve the Articles X

6. 4. Under the Articles of Confederation
National government consisted of a unicameral house, meaning one house, known as the legislature
No executive or judiciary branches X X

7. 5. Delegates to Congress Appointed by the state legislatures
Each state had one vote

8. Activity One In your group, you will find 13 cards.
Divide the cards up between your group members (it won’t be even)
Each group needs to build a tower that is 4 cards high.
Each member needs to place their own cards on to the tower.
You have 3 minutes to complete on my start.

9. What did you learn? What do the 13 cards represent?
What would make this easier to complete?
Why was this difficult?
Now, try to do it together…using all 13 cards to build one tower?
What did this show you?

10. 7. Congress’ Authority Declare war Develop foreign policy Coin money
Regulate Native American Affairs
Run post office
Borrow money
Appoint army and navy officers

11. 8. The National Government Could Not…
Enforce taxes on states
Regulate interstate or foreign trade
Raise an army on its own
Major decisions made required the support of 9 of the 13 states

12. In your groups:
Decide what problems would surface in using this new government in five minutes. The A.O.C. only last 8 years….why?
Each group must have at least 4 problems.
What issues can you foresee? Remember the kids are in charge?

13. 9. Problems Reflected the nation’s concern about executive power
However, lack of an executive meant there was no effective leadership.
This new government was written to keep the national government as weak as possible

14. 10. Why were the Articles of Confederation weak?
9 out of 13 states needed to pass a law
Few laws would ever get passed
All 13 states needed to agree for an amendment
Nearly impossible for all to agree
Could not regulate trade between states
States would fight between themselves over rivers, taxes
Government could not tax
Couldn’t operate effectively
No president to carry out laws
No leadership, nothing gets done

15. Why were the Articles of Confederation weak?
6. No federal courts
States could not stop fighting
7. No national army
Vulnerable to foreign attacks

16. Summary and Reflection
Why were the Articles of Confederation weak? Why would they not work as a new form of government? Complete your progress charts for objective B