Download Introduction to the Articles of Confederation

U.S. History
American Government – Take One!
A Look at the Articles of Confederation
The 13 Colonies Become 13 States…
Once the American colonists had declared their independence in 1776, each of the thirteen
colonies (now called states by the colonists) began establishing their own governments. Each state
began to draft its own constitution (or rules for governing). The states did not want to completely
destroy the governments that the British had helped them to establish. Instead, the states wanted to
make changes that would result in a more democratic government. They wanted to make sure that
people had more of a say in how the government would be run.
Some states had different branches of government each with its own separate powers. For
example, the legislative branch (congress) would be in charge of making the laws, but the executive
branch (governor) would be in charge of enforcing the laws. The states did this to ensure that no one
branch became too powerful (and tyrannical...like the British had). Other states included a bill of
rights in their constitutions which guaranteed certain to the people living in those states that the
government could not take away. For example, the governments could not force citizens to provide
shelter & food for soldiers.
A National Government is Needed Too…
In 1776, after issuing the Declaration of Independence, the Second Continental Congress
(made up of wealthy, male representatives of the 13 colonies) began to develop a new national
government to replace the British monarchy. There was lots of debate over what powers the national
government should possess and which powers should be given to the state governments. The final
plan for government established by the Second Continental Congress was called the Articles of
Confederation.
According to the Articles of Confederation, the
national government had very few powers. Most Americans
were afraid that a strong government would lead to tyranny
or oppressive rule. The national government was run by a
Confederation Congress. Each state had only one vote in
the congress. The national government was given the power
to wage war, make peace, sign treaties and issue money.
The Articles left most of the important powers of
government to the states. The states had the power to set
taxes (which is the only way that the government can make
money). The national government would have to rely on donations from each state to build a
treasury. The states had the power to enforce national laws also. While the national government
could declare war, it had no standing army. If the national government declared war, it would have to
rely on each state to send troops. The states also had the power to print as much money as they
wanted (though the value of that money was set by the national government). The Articles also
allowed the states to control the land west of the Appalachian Mountains.
In 1777, the Continental Congress passed the Articles of Confederation. Each state then had
to ratify (officially agree upon) the document in order for the Articles to become the United States’
first government. By July 1778, eight states had ratified the document. Some of the smaller states
refused to ratify the Articles because they did not have any Western land claims. For three years the
debate over who should control the land west of the Appalachians continued, but in the end, all states
gave up their claims on that land. In 1781, Maryland became the 13th state to ratify the Articles of
Confederation. The United States had adopted its first government. Now it was time to take it for a
test drive…
This is an image of the Founding Fathers drafting the Articles of Confederation
(the thought bubble was added on by a cartoonist)
Why did the cartoonist add this thought bubble? What message was he trying to convey
about how the past (living under a king) affects the present (forming a new government)?
Name:
Date:
Core:
U.S. History
(20 points)
The Past Affects the Present and the Future!
Reflections on the Articles of Confederation
Directions: Use the “American Government – Take One! A Look at the Articles of Confederation”
handout to help you answer the following questions.
Fact Check…
1. After winning their independence from Great Britain the thirteen colonies were no longer
called “colonies”, they were now called _________________________ (1 point).
2. After declaring their independence from Great Britain, the states began writing their own
constitutions. According to the text, what is a constitution? ___________________________
_____________________________________________________________________ (1 point)
3. Why did the states give each branch of government its own separate power? ______________
_____________________________________________________________________ (2 points)
4. What was the name given to the new plan for a national government created by the Second
Continental Congress? __________________________________________________(2 points)
5. Which part of the new American government had more power – the states or the national
government? Why was that level of government given the most power according to the text?
The __________________ (state or national) government had the most power under the new
government established by the Second Continental Congress. This level of government was
given the most power because: ____________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________(4 points)
6. Identify four specific powers that the national government possessed. ____________________
______________________________________________________________________(2 points)
More on the Back!
7. Identify four specific powers that the state governments possessed. ______________________
_____________________________________________________________________ (2 points)
8. What does the word “rratify” mean? _______________________________________ (1 point)
9. In what year did the Articles of Confederation become the official government of the United
States? ______________________________ ( 1 point)
10. Examine the cartoon below and answer the question that follows ( 4 points)
This is an image of the Founding Fathers drafting the Articles of Confederation
(the thought bubble was added on by a cartoonist)
Why did the cartoonist add this thought bubble? What message was he trying to convey
about how the past (living under a king) affects the present (forming a new government)?