Previewing the Articles of Confederation

Confederation and Constitution

Why do people form government?

Task

Why do people form government?

Listen as Mr. Arnold presents information about the government that colonists formed after the American Revolution, then decide with your group why do people form government?

Background

​The Declaration of Independence

Issued on July 4, 1776 the document proclaimed "the thirteen united States of America" were separated from British control. Thomas Jefferson said "Virginia, Sir, is my country." John Adams said "Massachusetts is our country."

Without the king around how will these untied states make decisions?

Violence and disagreements

New York and New Hampshire disagreed over their boundaries. Vermont attempted to make its own republic. Slave owners in South Carolina were the minority population and feared enslaved people would revolt against them.

​Border Wars and More

In 1786, Daniel Shays led farmers in a revolt against the state government of Massachusetts. Just a decade before this people of this state started the American Revolution.

Rebellion

​A Second Chance!

After many issues with the system of government first established in 1777, a change was needed. A Convention was called in 1787. At this meeting (many, many meetings actually) most agreed that the new government would be controled by a new central government. At the head of this new government would be the President of the United States.

• Joseph Taylor

"I wish to know where they found the power...of consolidating the states" 

​Some were critical of a new central government...

Trivia!

The first president of the nation

The Articles of Confederation established in 1777, created an office of the presidency. This person would serve a one year term. The first person to hold this office was John Hanson (NOT George Washington). Eight men total held this office. Not one of them is given credit as being President of the United States.

King George wasn't in charge of the colonies any more. George Washington wasn't the first president of the nation. Who is in charge of this place?

Not George in Charge

After first wanting to be its own nation Vermont made its current state motto "Freedom and Unity." Unity with WHOM?

​​Vermont State Motto

If enslaved people didn't revolt in the south maybe farmers in the north would. What power could stop PEOPLE from this violence?

Violence and More!

​Why do people form government?

• Discuss this presentation with your group.
  

• Then answer the question on your own.
  

• Be ready to share your answer with the class.
  

• Record your answer in your notebook.

Multiple Choice

How do state and federal governments share power of governing?

• Through a system called confederalism
• Through a system called federalism
• Through a system called autocracy
• Through a system called unitary government

Reorder

Reorder the following leaders in American history.

• King George III

• John Hanson

• George Washington

• John Adams

• Thomas Jefferson

1

2

3

4

5

• 1
• 2
• 3
• 4
• 5

Multiple Choice

The first system of government was governed under which key document?

• Declaration of Independence
• Constitution of the United States
• Emancipation Proclamation
• Articles of Confederation

Multiple Choice

Who was Daniel Shays?

• Daniel Shays was a famous artist.
• Daniel Shays was a British politician.
• Daniel Shays was a renowned scientist.
• Daniel Shays was an American soldier, farmer, and leader of Shays' Rebellion.

Multiple Choice

What was the Constitutional Convention?

• A gathering of European leaders to discuss the formation of a new country.
• A conference held to revise the Articles of Confederation.
• A meeting to establish the Bill of Rights.
• A meeting held in 1787 to draft the United States Constitution.

Fill in the Blank

This presentation was

Word Cloud

A word that describes American government (pick any word you want).

​Biblography

​Title: Fault Lines In The Constitution Authors: Cynthia Levinson and Sanford Levinson Publication Year: 2017 Publisher: Peachtree Publishers


Title: Did African American Slaves Rebel?

Website: African Americans: Many Rivers to Cross

Publisher: Public Broadcasting Service (PBS)

URL: https://www.pbs.org/wnet/african-americans-many-rivers-to-cross/history/did-african-american-slaves-rebel/

Accessed: 11/1/23

​The End!