The Articles of Confederation: what the first government could and could not do
Grade 8 Social Studies Worksheet
Circle the best answer.
Read this first
The Articles: what the National Archives says
Who made it: the National Archives. When: today. Where: Washington, DC. For whom: readers today. Why: to explain a milestone document. Summary in our words, not a quotation: The Second Continental Congress adopted the Articles on November 15, 1777. All 13 states had to ratify, and disputes over representation, voting and western lands delayed this until Maryland ratified on March 1, 1781. Each state had one vote. Congress could make treaties and decide on peace and war, but it could not tax directly: states were to supply the money and decided how to collect it. Some major decisions needed the agreement of nine states. Congress faced a depleted treasury, and flooding paper money caused severe inflation. James Madison and George Washington feared the country was near collapse. Source card "Problems under the Articles". Who made it: the Office of the Historian, US Department of State. When: today. Where: Washington, DC. For whom: readers today. Why: to explain the history of US foreign relations. Summary in our words, not a quotation: Congress had a nearly empty treasury and could not make states follow the 1783 Treaty of Paris on old debts. British troops stayed in forts near the Great Lakes. Congress could not stop Georgia from running its own policy toward Spanish Florida. Paper money flooded the country, and prices soared. States quarreled over land, taxes and trade.
Ari traces causes in the cards. Which chain fits them best?
- No direct tax power, then British troops left the forts
- No direct tax power, then an empty treasury, then little power to enforce treaty terms
- An empty treasury, then Congress lost its tax power, then it could not enforce treaty terms
- Georgia's policy, then Maryland's vote, then a new tax
The Northwest Ordinance
Who made it: the National Archives. When: today. Where: Washington, DC. For whom: readers today. Why: to explain a milestone document. Summary in our words, not a quotation: The Confederation Congress passed the Northwest Ordinance on July 13, 1787. It set up a temporary government for the Northwest Territory and a path to statehood: at 5,000 free adult men the territory could elect an assembly, and at 60,000 free inhabitants it could write a constitution and ask to become a state. It banned slavery and involuntary servitude in the territory, though fugitives from slavery in other states could be reclaimed. It called for the consent of Native peoples before their lands were taken. Source card "Problems under the Articles". Who made it: the Office of the Historian, US Department of State. When: today. Where: Washington, DC. For whom: readers today. Why: to explain the history of US foreign relations. Summary in our words, not a quotation: Congress had a nearly empty treasury and could not make states follow the 1783 Treaty of Paris on old debts. British troops stayed in forts near the Great Lakes. Congress could not stop Georgia from running its own policy toward Spanish Florida. Paper money flooded the country, and prices soared. States quarreled over land, taxes and trade.
Bo compares the cards. Which comparison is supported?
- Congress could do neither, because it had no powers
- Congress could do both because it ruled the states
- Congress could enforce the 1783 treaty but could not create a territorial government
- Congress could set up a path to statehood but could not make states follow the 1783 treaty
The Articles: what the National Archives says
Who made it: the National Archives. When: today. Where: Washington, DC. For whom: readers today. Why: to explain a milestone document. Summary in our words, not a quotation: The Second Continental Congress adopted the Articles on November 15, 1777. All 13 states had to ratify, and disputes over representation, voting and western lands delayed this until Maryland ratified on March 1, 1781. Each state had one vote. Congress could make treaties and decide on peace and war, but it could not tax directly: states were to supply the money and decided how to collect it. Some major decisions needed the agreement of nine states. Congress faced a depleted treasury, and flooding paper money caused severe inflation. James Madison and George Washington feared the country was near collapse.
A student writes, "In 1786 the country was falling apart." Esme checks the card. Which revision keeps the claim accurate?
- The whole country agreed it was near collapse
- Madison and Washington feared the country was close to collapse
- Washington and Madison planned to end the Confederation by force
- The country had already collapsed by 1786
Articles of Confederation, Article 13
Who made it: the Second Continental Congress. When: Adopted November 15, 1777; in force March 1, 1781. Where: Pennsylvania, where Congress met when it adopted them. For whom: the thirteen states, which had to approve them. Why: to set up a government for the union of states. Excerpt (Articles of Confederation (1781), Article 13; as printed in 1820, p. 16): "…unless such alteration be agreed to in a congress of the United States, and be afterwards confirmed by the legislature of every state." Source card "The 1787 convention". Who made it: the National Archives. When: today. Where: Washington, DC. For whom: readers today. Why: to explain a milestone document. Summary in our words, not a quotation: In May 1787, delegates from the states met in Philadelphia to revise the Articles. By mid-June they had decided to design a new government instead.
Jun asks why delegates in 1787 might have chosen a new government instead of amending the Articles.
- The Articles had no rule for amendments
- Amendments needed every state to confirm, which made change hard
- Britain had ordered the Articles replaced
- Congress had forbidden any change to the Articles after they took effect in 1781
Shays' Rebellion
Who made it: George Washington's Mount Vernon, in its article on Shays' Rebellion. When: today. Where: Mount Vernon, Virginia. For whom: readers today. Why: to explain events that worried Washington. Summary in our words, not a quotation: Farmers in Massachusetts, many of them unpaid war veterans and deep in debt, protested at courthouses from August 1786. In September 1786 they closed the state court at Springfield. Congress could do little to respond.
Kira reads that Congress could do little to respond to Shays' Rebellion. What did that show leaders?
- Congress ended the protests easily
- Congress had sent an army to stop the protest
- Congress could do little about unrest inside a state
- States could not keep order without help from Congress
The Articles: what the National Archives says
Who made it: the National Archives. When: today. Where: Washington, DC. For whom: readers today. Why: to explain a milestone document. Summary in our words, not a quotation: The Second Continental Congress adopted the Articles on November 15, 1777. All 13 states had to ratify, and disputes over representation, voting and western lands delayed this until Maryland ratified on March 1, 1781. Each state had one vote. Congress could make treaties and decide on peace and war, but it could not tax directly: states were to supply the money and decided how to collect it. Some major decisions needed the agreement of nine states. Congress faced a depleted treasury, and flooding paper money caused severe inflation. James Madison and George Washington feared the country was near collapse.
Luz subtracts. About how long after Congress adopted the Articles did they take effect, and what held them up?
- A little over 3 years, until Britain approved
- About 8 years, until the Constitution replaced them
- A little over 3 years, until Maryland ratified
- Under 1 year, because the states agreed quickly
Articles of Confederation, Article 2
Who made it: the Second Continental Congress. When: Adopted November 15, 1777; in force March 1, 1781. Where: Pennsylvania, where Congress met when it adopted them. For whom: the thirteen states, which had to approve them. Why: to set up a government for the union of states. Excerpt (Articles of Confederation (1781), Article 2; as printed in 1820, p. 8): "Each state retains its sovereignty, freedom, and independence, and every power, jurisdiction, and right, which is not by this confederation expressly delegated to the United States in congress assembled." Source card "Articles of Confederation, Article 5". Who made it: the Second Continental Congress. When: Adopted November 15, 1777; in force March 1, 1781. Where: Pennsylvania, where Congress met when it adopted them. For whom: the thirteen states, which had to approve them. Why: to set up a government for the union of states. Excerpt (Articles of Confederation (1781), Article 5; as printed in 1820, p. 9): "In determining questions in the United States in congress assembled, each state shall have one vote."
Milo reads Articles 2 and 5 together. What do they say about where power lay?
- Mainly with a president chosen by the states
- Mainly with the largest states, which had more votes
- Mainly with Congress, which could overrule the states
- Mainly with the states, which each had one vote
The Northwest Ordinance
Who made it: the National Archives. When: today. Where: Washington, DC. For whom: readers today. Why: to explain a milestone document. Summary in our words, not a quotation: The Confederation Congress passed the Northwest Ordinance on July 13, 1787. It set up a temporary government for the Northwest Territory and a path to statehood: at 5,000 free adult men the territory could elect an assembly, and at 60,000 free inhabitants it could write a constitution and ask to become a state. It banned slavery and involuntary servitude in the territory, though fugitives from slavery in other states could be reclaimed. It called for the consent of Native peoples before their lands were taken. Source card "The Articles: what the National Archives says". Who made it: the National Archives. When: today. Where: Washington, DC. For whom: readers today. Why: to explain a milestone document. Summary in our words, not a quotation: The Second Continental Congress adopted the Articles on November 15, 1777. All 13 states had to ratify, and disputes over representation, voting and western lands delayed this until Maryland ratified on March 1, 1781. Each state had one vote. Congress could make treaties and decide on peace and war, but it could not tax directly: states were to supply the money and decided how to collect it. Some major decisions needed the agreement of nine states. Congress faced a depleted treasury, and flooding paper money caused severe inflation. James Madison and George Washington feared the country was near collapse.
Noah reads a student's claim: "The Confederation Congress accomplished nothing." Which detail challenges that claim best?
- Congress had a depleted treasury
- Madison and Washington feared the country was near collapse
- Congress could not tax directly
- It passed the Northwest Ordinance on July 13, 1787
The Articles: what the National Archives says
Who made it: the National Archives. When: today. Where: Washington, DC. For whom: readers today. Why: to explain a milestone document. Summary in our words, not a quotation: The Second Continental Congress adopted the Articles on November 15, 1777. All 13 states had to ratify, and disputes over representation, voting and western lands delayed this until Maryland ratified on March 1, 1781. Each state had one vote. Congress could make treaties and decide on peace and war, but it could not tax directly: states were to supply the money and decided how to collect it. Some major decisions needed the agreement of nine states. Congress faced a depleted treasury, and flooding paper money caused severe inflation. James Madison and George Washington feared the country was near collapse.
Pia asks why the Articles took until 1781 to take effect.
- States ratified quickly, but Congress delayed counting the votes of the states
- Maryland was the single state in existence at the time
- Disputes over representation, voting and western lands delayed ratification
- Congress waited for Britain's approval
Shays' Rebellion
Who made it: George Washington's Mount Vernon, in its article on Shays' Rebellion. When: today. Where: Mount Vernon, Virginia. For whom: readers today. Why: to explain events that worried Washington. Summary in our words, not a quotation: Farmers in Massachusetts, many of them unpaid war veterans and deep in debt, protested at courthouses from August 1786. In September 1786 they closed the state court at Springfield. Congress could do little to respond. Source card "The Articles: what the National Archives says". Who made it: the National Archives. When: today. Where: Washington, DC. For whom: readers today. Why: to explain a milestone document. Summary in our words, not a quotation: The Second Continental Congress adopted the Articles on November 15, 1777. All 13 states had to ratify, and disputes over representation, voting and western lands delayed this until Maryland ratified on March 1, 1781. Each state had one vote. Congress could make treaties and decide on peace and war, but it could not tax directly: states were to supply the money and decided how to collect it. Some major decisions needed the agreement of nine states. Congress faced a depleted treasury, and flooding paper money caused severe inflation. James Madison and George Washington feared the country was near collapse.
Tala compares what worried two groups. Which pairing matches the cards?
- Both groups wanted the Articles to stay exactly as they were
- Leaders feared a weak central government; Massachusetts farmers struggled with debt
- Leaders struggled with debt; Massachusetts farmers feared a weak central government
- Leaders feared British invasion; farmers feared a new tax from Congress