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Confederation to Constitution
Articles of Confederation: Making Our First National Government
Before you read, answer the three questions below:
After the war with Britain ended, why do you think the states wanted to form any
national government at all? Why wouldn’t the states simply remain 13 independent
nations?
Looking at the map on page 223, what kinds of problems do you think might be caused
by conflicting state claims to new territories?
How do you think these conflicting claims could be resolved?
Read Chapter 11 in, We The People (pp.93-100).
After you read Chapter 11 answer the questions below:
1. Why did the people in the newly independent states fear a strong national
government?
2. What were the Articles of Confederation?
3. How did the Articles organize the national government to address the fears of the
people and of the states?
4. What parts of government were not included in the Articles of Confederation?
Confederation to Constitution
5. What did the national government achieve under the Articles of Confederation?
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6. What were the weaknesses of the national government under the Articles of
Confederation?
7. What was Shays’ Rebellion an important event?
Extra Credit Bonus.
When Daniel Shays’ rebellion was finally put down by the Massachusetts militia, many
of his followers were arrested and twelve leaders of the rebellion were hanged for the
crime of treason. The Shays insurgents never imagined that their actions would lead to
charges of treason against the republic. In fact, they naturally appealed to the republican
principles they had fought for in 1776. "I earnestly stepped forth in defense of this
country, and liberty is still the object I have in view," an insurgent leader wrote to the
public. - http://www.calliope.org/shays/shays2.html
With what you know about Shays’ Rebellion (you may also want to read about it in your
Creating America Textbook [pp.224-225]). Can you defend the actions of the rebels?
Why or why not? Do you think you would have joined the rebellion if you were a small
Massachusetts farmer?
To answer the bonus question, write a paragraph response. You may use the space below
or staple a separate sheet of lined paper.
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