The Articles of Confederation
STRENGTHS AND WEAKNESSES
The Articles of Confederation
•
The first system of government designed by the
Founding Fathers was a Confederation.
•
Under a Confederate system, the National or Central
Government is given only a few powers, while most
of the power is reserved for the States.
The Articles had 2 major achievements:
1.
Bringing the Revolutionary
War to a successful
conclusion.
2.
North West Ordinance
(plan for governing the
western lands)
Copy the following T-Chart into your notebook…
Strengths
Weaknesses
The National Congress:
STRENGTH
•
Declare War
•
Establish an Army/Navy
WEAKNESS
•
No power to draft
soldiers
The National Congress:
STRENGTH
•
Borrow Money
WEAKNESS
•
No power to tax the
States
The National Congress:
STRENGTH
•
Make peace and sign
treaties (agreements
with other countries)
WEAKNESS
•
No power to enforce
treaties
The National Congress:
STRENGTH
•
We’re done here…
WEAKNESS
•
No President
•
No Court System
•
No National Currency
•
No control over trade
between states.
The National Congress:
STRENGTH
•
No seriously, there
aren’t any more…
WEAKNESS
•
Passing a law required a
2/3 vote!
The National Congress:
STRENGTH
•
Why are you still looking
over here?
WEAKNESS
•
Amending (changing)
the Articles had to be
unanimous!
***You will now read “Shay’s Rebellion” on pages
120-121 in the blue Florida Civics book.
•
When you are done reading answer the following
question in your notebook underneath your T-chart.
• Essential Question: Which weakness of The
Articles of Confederation was highlighted
during Shay’s Rebellion?
Now let’s see if we can fix this mess…
“New and Improved” Articles of Confederation
Competition!
•
You and your partner will propose a new version of the Articles
of Confederation that addresses at least FOUR of the major
weaknesses discussed.
•
You will use the handout provided for your proposal.
•
Each group will introduce their proposal to the class. Then
everyone will vote on the group that created the best “New and
Improved” Articles of Confederation. That group will receive a
prize…
“New and Improved” Proposal
A.
Name Weakness #1
1. How would you fix this weakness in your new Articles
of Confederation?
2. Give details about this solution and any requirements
that are necessary to complete it. (How will it be
effective?)
B.
Name Weakness #2- Answers to 1. and 2.
C.
Name Weakness #3- Answers to 1. and 2.
D.
Name Weakness #4- Answers to 1. and 2.
Weaknesses that need to be fixed…
1.
No Chief Executive
2.
No National Court System
3.
No Power to Draft Soldiers
4.
No Power to Control Interstate Commerce
5.
No Power to Enforce Treaties
6.
No Power to Collect Taxes from the States
7.
Difficult to Pass Laws (2/3 vote)
8.
No National Currency
9.
Unanimous Vote Needed to Change Articles
***Pick at least FOUR to fix with your partner!
EXIT SLIP…
• Why was The Article of Confederation ineffective
in allowing the Government to deal with a
national crisis?