The Articles of Confederation
Background: Before the Constitution of the United States…there was The Articles of Confederation! The
Articles of Confederation was the first constitution of the United States. Drafted [passed] in 1777 by the same
people [the Continental Congress] that passed the Declaration of Independence, the articles established a
“firm league of friendship” between and among the 13 states (formally the 13 colonies).
Focus Question:
What caused the Articles of Confederation to fail?
Read the description on the Articles of Confederation before answering the questions in complete
sentences in your notebook.
Created during the Revolutionary War, the Articles of Confederation reflect the wariness
[caution] by the states of a strong central government. The Founding Fathers feared that a
national government with too much power would start to abuse their powers, much like their
previous King had done. Therefore, the Articles purposely created a very weak government, one
that let the 13 individual states run the government instead of placing one large strong central
government in control.
Under the Articles, each of the states retained [kept] their “freedom and independence.”
Instead of having a President, groups of representatives from each states met in the nation
capital (Philadelphia at the time) to discuss, debate, and govern the country. This group was
named “Congress,” and they were responsible for conducting foreign affairs, declaring war or
peace, maintaining an army and navy. But the Articles denied Congress the power to collect
taxes, regulate trade between the states, and enforce laws.
The Articles of Confederation failed miserably. The Articles created a government that
was far too weak to accomplish anything. Congress could not tax, therefore it could not raise
money to pay the military, build roads, or have a postage system. To make any new law, all
states had to reach a consensus. This is an agreement where everyone agrees. Do you think the
interests in New York were the same as the interest in North Carolina? Are people in Georgia
going to have the same views as those living in Rhode Island? Reaching a consensus
[agreement] was near impossible. The delegates decided to throw away the Articles of
Confederation and start fresh to make the United States Constitution.
The Articles of Confederation had a short-lived history. It governed our country for only
8 years – until it was replaced with a much stronger, much better, and much more effective plan
which came to be known as the United States Constitution which still holds to this day.
Read each description on the Articles of Confederation before answering the questions in complete
sentences in your notebook.
1. Why were states wary or cautious of creating a strong central government? (What did the Founding Fathers
fear?
The states were wary of creating a strong central government because…
2. Why was a strong central government avoided?
A strong central government was avoided because….
3. Instead of having a President, who governed the country?
Instead of having a President…
4. What powers did the Congress have under the Articles of Confederation? What did they lack?
Under the Articles of Confederation, congress…
5. How was a new law made under the Articles of Confederation?
6. What is a consensus?
A consensus is…
7. What reasons can you give as to what caused the Articles of Confederation to fail?
The Articles of Confederation failed because…
OPINION QUESTION:
8. What do YOU think the difference is going to be with the new plan of government, the Constitution?