Lesson Title: Weaknesses of the Articles of Confederation

1 Lesson title : Weaknesses of the Articles of Confederation Lesson Author: Candice Bruce and Katie Yarbrough Key Curriculum Words: Shay s Rebellion, Government, article , Confederation , Federation Grade Level: 12th Grade Government Time Allotted: 45 minute class period Purpose/Rationale: While many students are aware that the Articles of Confederation were the precursor to the Constitution, few can actually describe why they were replaced. Through this Lesson , students will be able to define the Articles of Confederation , explain why it was created, recognize both its strengths and Weaknesses , and understand how it evolved into the Constitution.

2 The Articles created a starting point for a national government while leaving important powers up to the states; problems resulting from the amount of control in the states created an obvious need among leaders for an even stronger national government and thus a stronger governing document. Therefore, the purpose of this Lesson is to foster an understanding for the Weaknesses of the Articles and their role in shaping the US Constitution. Key Concepts/Definitions: Shay s Rebellion: armed uprising in Massachusetts led by farmer Daniel Shays that created awareness of the need for a stronger national government Government: the institution in which society makes and enforces its public policies.

3 article : a particular section or item of a series in a written document, such as a contract, constitution, or treaty. Confederation : a loose union of independent states Federation: a jointing together of states in a league or federal union Background Paragraph: From the previous section, students will recall how the colonial governments were modeled after English governments in their legislative assemblies and courts. Additionally, students learned how the struggle for power between the colonies and the English crown led to the Declaration of Independence. Students then formed the understanding that states feared a central government holding too much power and consequently, created a governing document that left many important powers to the states.

4 The Articles provided a unicameral structure for the new government and established a league of friendship among the 13 independent states. They allowed for Congress to retain special powers including making war and peace, sending and receiving ambassadors, making treaties, raising and equipping the navy, maintaining an army and requesting troops from states, appointing senior military officers, fixing standards of weights and measures, regulating Indian affairs, establishing a postal service, and deciding certain disputes among states. Virginia Standards of Learning and/or Objectives: NCSS Theme #6: Power, Authority, and Governance GOVT 4a.

5 The student will demonstrate knowledge of the Constitution of the United States by examining the ratification debates and The Federalist. The student will be able to understand the power, authority, and governance that a written constitution has in a society and be able to identify the Weaknesses that were within the Articles of Confederation and how the Weaknesses led to the forming of a new constitution. Enduring Understandings: Is there such a thing as a perfect government? How influential is government in our everyday lives? Could we have survived as a nation under the Articles of Confederation ?

6 Is a federation always better than a Confederation ? Will the Constitution ever be replaced? Facts/Concepts: The student will gain knowledge of the definitions of government, federation, Confederation , and Articles . Additionally, the student will understand that the US Constitution was created as a result of the Weaknesses in the Articles of Confederation . Skills: Understanding Political Cartoons Critical Thinking Analyze primary and secondary source documents (Govt. 1a) Values/Attitudes: Reflection Class Participation Respectful Behavior during Presentations Government is not perfect Government is an evolution in an attempt to be better The US had to begin with the Articles of Confederation to evolve into having the Constitution Guiding Questions: What is government?

7 What events led up to the formation of the Articles of Confederation ? Which powers were held by the national government under the Articles and which powers were left to the states? What were the achievements and failures of the Articles of Confederation ? What document followed the Articles of Confederation ? And why? Lesson Objectives: Students will be able to: 1. Identify the Articles of Confederation and both its strengths and Weaknesses . 2. Analyze how the Weaknesses of the Articles created the need for a stronger central government that was found in a new constitution. Diverse Learner Needs: Curriculum will not be modified for diverse learner needs.

8 Instruction will be modified where the teacher s aide will assist special education students in forming and idea completing their political cartoon; cooperating teacher will instruct gifted students to create a caption for their cartoon; teacher will instruct general education students to form an idea for a political cartoon on their own and illustrate it. All students will share their cartoons with the class. For assessment, special education students will be assessed by neatness of their cartoon, participation in the presentations and completion; general education students will be assessed by correctly illustrating a weakness of the Articles of Confederation , participating in the class presentation and neatness; gifted students will be assessed based on the accuracy of their cartoon, quality of their caption, participation in the class presentation, and neatness.

9 Materials/Resources: PowerPoint Presentation Journals Slot Notes Arguing Against the Articles Handout White Paper Markers Weaknesses Overhead The Articles of Confederation Procedures/Processes/Activities: The Hook: Students will be given a writing prompt about the Constitution to be written in their journals. The prompt is Consider the word government. What does it mean to you? What examples can you give of institutions that involve some sort of governmental structure? How do these governmental structures influence your everyday life? Assignment will be posted on PowerPoint and should take no longer than 5 minutes to complete.

10 While students are completing their journal entry, teacher will distribute slot notes for the day. After students have a chance to write in their journals, a brief discussion will take place about what they thought of the prompt and a transition into the Lesson . (5 minutes) Lesson Activities: o Teacher will discuss slot notes containing information about the powers held under the Articles of Confederation , the Weaknesses of the document, the achievements under the document, and the events that led to a need for a stronger government. (15 minutes) o Students will then be given a handout entitled Arguing Against the Articles .