Name: _______________________________________________________________ Period: _______ Date: _______________________
Articles of Confederation
Read on page 145 about new State governments and their structure. In the chart below record the three branches of government and
describe its role.
Branch of Government
Branch of Government
Branch of Government
Role (What does this branch do?)
Role (What does this branch do?)
Role (What does this branch do?)
Using Pages 146-147, explain the Articles of Confederation and what they established
Powers given to the central government:
1.
2.
Name: _______________________________________________________________ Period: _______ Date: _______________________
3.
4.
Weakness of Articles of
Confederation
Congress could not impose taxes
Articles of Confederation Weaknesses Chart – Page 146
Why was this included in the Articles of
Confederation?
The colonists feared being unfairly treated by
the central government, like Britain had treated
them.
States made their own agreements with other
countries or Native Americans; States taxed other
states unfairly
Congress could not regulate trade
No judicial branch to interpret laws
passed by Congress
Colonists feared that a court system would take
away the rights of states
No executive branch to enforce laws
passed by Congress
Nine of 13 states needed to agree to
pass laws
Problems this caused
Colonists feared a strong central government;
wanted to protect individual states’ powers
Name: _______________________________________________________________ Period: _______ Date: _______________________
All states had to agree to amend the
Articles
Wanted all the states to be involved in the
national government; feared a strong central
government
SUMMARIZE (7-10 Sentences, separate sheet of paper!): Why did the Articles of Confederation FAIL? Why did the colonists create the
Articles of Confederation this way?