Name:___________________________
Date: January___, 2014
Homeroom:______________________
By the end of the lesson you will be able to…
*determine the central idea of a text by identifying what it was about
*analyze the AOC to determine the values that are revealed
How do I determine the central idea of a text?
Do Now Directions: After you, or anyone else, breaks up or ends a relationship, what are some things that
happen? Describe 1-2 things that have happened to you or that you have seen on TV (keep it professional)!
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In my own words it is important to determine the central idea of a text because …
Today we will be practicing identifying the central idea of a text and we will be dissecting the first attempt
at a founding document for America, the Articles of Confederation. If we think of the American
Revolution as a larger form of a “breakup”- where America and Britain were in a serious relationship, but
got into a large fight and cut ties, we would think of the Articles of Confederation as a rebound or a quick
fix to the problems in the previous relationship.
Turn & Talk – What does it mean to be a nation?
Articles of Confederation (Preamble, Articles I-III)
To all to whom these Presents shall come, we the undersigned Delegates of the States
affixed to our Names send greeting. Articles of Confederation and perpetual Union
between the states of New Hampshire, Massachusetts-bay Rhode Island and Providence
Plantations, Connecticut, New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Delaware, Maryland,
Virginia, North Carolina, South Carolina and Georgia.
I. The Stile of this Confederacy shall be "The United States of America".
II. Each state retains its sovereignty, freedom, and independence, and every power,
jurisdiction, and right, which is not by this Confederation expressly delegated to the
United States, in Congress assembled.
III. The said States hereby severally enter into a firm league of friendship with each
other, for their common defense, the security of their liberties, and their mutual and
general welfare, binding themselves to assist each other, against all force offered to, or
attacks made upon them, or any of them, on account of religion, sovereignty, trade, or
any other pretense whatever.
VIII. All charges of war, and all other expenses that shall be incurred for the common
defense or general welfare, and allowed by the United States in Congress assembled,
shall be defrayed out of a common treasury, which shall be supplied by the several
States in proportion to the value of all land within each State, granted or surveyed for
any person, as such land and the buildings and improvements thereon shall be estimated
according to such mode as the United States in Congress assembled, shall from time to
time direct and appoint. The taxes for paying that proportion shall be laid and levied by
the authority and direction of the legislatures of the several States within the time agreed
upon by the United States in Congress assembled.
CHUNK
Partner Practice
Directions: Read the “student friendly version” of the rest of the Articles of Confederation. Then complete
the graphic organizer below determining state powers vs. national government powers.
State Government Powers
National Government Powers
Weaknesses of the Articles of Confederation
Name _________________________________
Date:__________________________________
Humanities
No Excuses!
If you need help:
Call -781-956-6209
Email- Kathryn.alwon@dc.gov
Articles of Confederation Homework
Directions: Read the chart below. Highlight the two biggest strengths or accomplishments of the AOC and
the two largest weaknesses.
Strengths & Weaknesses of the Articles of Confederation
Strengths & Accomplishments of the Articles of
Confederation
Weaknesses of the Articles of Confederation
Government signed a treaty of alliance with France
in 1778.
Congress had no power to coin money, therefore
each state developed its own currency.
Government successfully waged a war for
independence against the British.
Congress was unable to regulate interstate and
foreign commerce; some states refused to pay for
goods they purchased from abroad.
Government negotiated an end to the American
Revolution in the Treaty of Paris, signed in 1783.
Government granted the free inhabitants of each
state “all the privileges and immunities of free
citizens in theseveral states.”
Congress was unable to impose taxes; it could only
borrow money on credit.
No national court system was established to protect
the rights of U.S. citizens.
Government provided for the eventual admission of
Canada into the Confederation.
No executive branch was established to enforce
laws.
Government passed the Northwest Ordinance of
1787, which allowed the Northwest Territories to
organize theirown governments. It allowed the
eventual admission to the Union of no more than
five states, and no fewer than three, “on an equal
footing with the original states.” The Ordinance also
banned slavery from the region.
Amendments could be added only with the approval
of all 13 states.
Approval of 9 of 13 states was required to pass a
law in Congress.
One vote was allotted for each state, despite the size
of its population.
Government established the Departments of Foreign It was just a “firm league of friendship.”
Affairs, War, Marine, and Treasury.
TURN OVER  TURN OVER 
Directions: Carefully and thoughtfully answer the questions below.
1. What were the two biggest accomplishments of the Articles of Confederation? Explain in 2
sentences.
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2. What were the two biggest weaknesses under the Articles of Confederation? Explain in at least two
sentences.
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3. Read the following quote. What do you think it means? What was he trying to say? Explain in at
least two sentences.
So long as any individual state has power to defeat the measures of the other twelve, our
pretended union is but name, and our confederation a cobweb. - Noah Webster, ca. 1780
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