The Critical Period
Chapter 2, Section 3
Slide 1: ESSENTIAL QUESTIONS?
1. ____________________________________________________________________________________________?
Answer:
2. ____________________________________________________________________________________________?
Answer:
Slide 2: The Articles of Confederation
 The Articles of Confederation established “a firm league of friendship” among the States.
 Powers: What are some of the powers of the Articles of Confederation?
1.
2.
3.
 Obligations
 The States promised to obey ___________________________, and to respect the laws of the other
_________________. Most other powers were retained by each State.
Slide 3: Weaknesses of the Articles of Confederation
 ________________________ vote for each State, regardless of ______________________________
 Congress powerless to lay and collect ________________ and ____________________
 Congress powerless to regulate ____________________ and ____________________________ commerce
 No ________________________ to _______________________ acts of Congress
 No national ___________________ ____________________
 __________________________ only with consent of all States
 A _____________________ majority required to pass laws
 Articles only a “_______________________________________________________”
Slide 4: The Critical Period, The 1780s
 Problems with the Articles of Confederation surfaced
 Arguments broke out between the States
 The States grew increasingly ____________________ and ___________________________ of one another
Shay’s Rebellion
 1786: __________________________________________ led an armed uprising in Massachusetts
 The rebellion forced the States to ________________________________ the Articles of Confederation
Slide 5: A Call for a Stronger Government
 Representatives from Maryland and Virginia met at ______________________________, Virginia, in 1785 to
discuss trade issues.
 The meeting was so successful that the Virginia General Assembly requested a meeting of all ________________
States, which eventually became the __________________ _____________________ in Philadelphia.
Slide 6: Section 3 Review
1. The government set up by the Articles of Confederation had
 (a) the power to make treaties and build a navy.
 (b) a bicameral congress.
 (c) separation of powers.
 (d) a President to carry out its laws.
2. Which of the following was a weakness of the Articles of Confederation?
 (a) Congress could not make treaties.
 (b) Congress could not borrow money.
 (c) The States did not agree to obey the Articles.
 (d) Congress could not lay or collect taxes or duties.
Slide 7: The Critical Period Assignment
1. What were the Articles of Confederation and what powers did they grant to Congress?
2. Identify at least three weaknesses of the government under the Articles of Confederation.
3. The Articles of Confederation contained several weaknesses. Why would the States purposely create a weak
government under the Articles?