Assignment: Documents
The Articles of Confederation was the first form of government used in the United States, but it was
quickly seen as a failure in many areas. The Constitution replaced the Articles and has lasted over 200
years. In many ways these two systems are similar, but there were important changes made to allow
the Constitution to be more effective.
Create a PowerPoint or similar graphic presentation in which you compare the Articles of the
Confederation with the Constitution.
1. You should have 15 – 20 slides.
2. Below is a comprehensive list of areas in which the two documents differ. You should include at
least 15 of these and possibly come up with some of your own.

















Taxes
Courts
Voting
Trade and commerce
Executive powers
State powers
Representation – how each state is represented in the national government
Terms of Office
Raising an army/navy
Declaring war
Settling disputes
Sovereignty
Passing laws
Amendments – How laws can be changed
Coining money
Taxation
Ratification (how each document became a law of the land)
3. Your final 1 – 2 slides should include the history and setting of each document.
4. Be sure to check the PowerPoint/Graphics rubric. (This will be found under the Rubric and
Grades button on the left hand navigation bar.