1. Lesson 1: Articles of Confederation
 OBJECTIVE:
Students will learn how the Articles of Confederation created
a weak central government and a loose alliance of
independent states.
 KEY WORDS:
 constitution: a document that sets out laws, principles,
organization, and processes for government
 alliance: agreement between nations to aid and protect
each other
 bill of rights: list of freedoms that the government
promises to protect
 Articles of Confederation: first American constitution in
1777

2. The States Write Constitutions
 States wrote constitutions
for 2 reasons
 Virginia’s constitution
included a bill of rights

3.  Several other states followed Virginia’s lead
 STATE GOVERNMENTS

4. The Articles of Confederation
 Delegates at Continental Congress believed
colonies needed to be united by a national govt
 States feared a large and powerful central
government
PROCESSING: Why would states be fearful of
a controlling, central government that had
the power to tell them what to do and how to
do it?

5.  Continental Congress
approved first American
constitution (Articles of
Confederation) in 1777
after MUCH DEBATE

6. Power of Congress
 Each state sent 1 delegate to Congress = 1 vote
per state

7.  NO PRESIDENT to execute laws
 NO POLICE/MILITARY to enforce the laws
 NO SYSTEM OF COURTS to settle conflicts
between states
PROCESSING: In looking at these 3
limitations, what is a potential problem with
this system?

8. Weaknesses of the Confederation
 Conflicts between states
 Money problems

9. Virginia State Currency

10. Maryland State Currency

11. Northwest Ordinance
 1787: set up government for Northwest Territory
(Ohio, Indiana, Michigan, Illinois, & Wisconsin)
 Provided an example of a good way to admit
new states to the nation
 One of the only successes that stemmed from
the Articles

12. Map of Northwest Territory, 1787
QuickTime™ and a
decompressor
are needed to see this picture.

13. Shays’ Rebellion
 Daniel Shays and
1,000 other farmers
stormed courthouses
in Massachusetts in
a revolt against the
mistreatment of the
farmers

14. Constitutional Convention is Called
 Congress realized the Articles were not successful
 Constitutional Convention was called in Philadelphia in
May 1787 to create a stronger, more structured
constitution
 HOMEWORK: Report out on this question:
“If you were attending the Constitutional Convention in
Philadelphia, what two goals would you have? Why
are they important to you (as an American)? “