Articles of
Confederatio
n
Independence Hall
Essential Question:
Why was a revision of
the Articles of
Confederation
necessary? (H4a)
Activating Strategy
George Washington called the
Articles of Confederation “a halfstarved, limping government.”
What do you think he meant by this?
Why was it “half-starved” or who was
starving it?
(Think back to the causes of the Revolutionary War)
Articles of Confederation
• Articles were originally written with a strong central
government, but many states opposed this? Why?
• They had finally won their independence and they
didn’t want to give it away to a controlling national
government
• The Articles went into effect March 1, 1781
• The Articles set up a weak national government and
gave individual states a lot of authority over their own
affairs
• The Articles specified that any power not expressly
given to Congress belonged to the states
Although the essential question
indicates that the Articles of
Confederation were ineffective,
the Articles did have some
strengths.
What do you think were strengths
of the Articles of Confederation?
(Think back to the Revolutionary War and the
government before Independence)
Articles of Confederation:
Strengths
• The Articles set up a republican form of
government where citizens elect people
to represent them
• The Articles established self-government
under a written document
(Why would a written document be
important?)
Articles of Confederation
Document Examination
• Document 1 –Census of 1790
• Document 2 –Currency
• Document 3 –Legislature Request
• Document 4 -Commerce
Articles of Confederation:
Weaknesses
• Congress could not collect taxes, leaving the
country unable to pay debts or soldiers
• Congress could not regulate trade
(therefore, states fought over interstate
trade issues)
• Congress could make laws, but it could not
force states to follow them Congress could
not enforce laws
Articles of Confederation:
Weaknesses
• The Articles only gave each state one vote,
regardless of population
• The Articles provided for a unicameral
system; there was only a legislative branch
of government, not an executive or
judicial branch
(Why was this a problem?)
Articles of Confederation:
Weaknesses
• Congress could not raise an army without
the states’ permission
• Congress could not pass a law without 9 of
the 13 colonies agreeing
• Too much power was given to the states
and not enough power given to the federal
government
Articles of Confederation
Summarizing Strategy
Students can choose between two
summarizing strategies. One option is a
Baggage Slip. Students identify the
“baggage” of the Articles of Confederation.
(See Slide 13)
The second option is a Recipe Card.
Students create a recipe for the Articles of
Confederation. (See Slide 14).
Identify the “baggage”
of the Articles of
Confederation. Write
your “baggage” in the
baggage slip.
Articles of Confederation Recipe
Ingredients:
Steps: