Articles of Confederation Bellwork

Articles of Confederation - Bellwork 11/29

​Introduction

While in the midst of the American Revolution, the Continental Congress decided to create a government to lead the new nation. In 1777, after much debate, the Articles of Confederation was completed, becoming America’s first constitution. The Articles of Confederation did not create a strong national government like we have today. Instead, the Articles of Confederation created a weak national government with limited powers because many Americans feared a strong government would lead to the tyranny they felt under the British government. The Articles of Confederation represented the first constitutional agreement between the American states and emphasized a confederation (league of independent states) system of government.  Because of the tyranny they had experienced under British rule, the Founding Fathers designed a confederation of powerful states united by a weak national government where each state was given one vote in a unicameral (one-house) legislature. 

Multiple Choice

In what year were the Articles of Confederation completed?

• 1776

• 1777

• 1778

• 1781

Multiple Choice

The Articles of Confederation created a strong central government where the states had very little power.

• True

• False

Open Ended

Why did the Articles of Confederation have a weak central government?

Multiple Select

Which of the following are issues with the Articles of Confederation?

• No power to collect taxes

• No power to enforce laws

• No power to raise an army

• No power to enforce treaties

• No national court system

Open Ended

What is the artist trying to portray in the cartoon? What is the message?