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Topic Articles of Confederation Date:

Standard d. Analyze the weaknesses of the Articles of Confederation and explain how
SS8H3 Analyze the role of Georgia in the those weaknesses led to the writing of a new federal Constitution.
American Revolutionary Era.

Inquiry Lesson
War is Over, now what?
• With the formal ratification of the Treaty of Paris 1783, the United States became not an idea or a statement, but a reality
• This reality came with a set of challenges that the founding generation had to face
• In this process the founders often differed on the philosophy and approach, but ultimately compromised on what would be
best for a young, infant nation to survive in a very hostile world
What were the major challenges facing Americans after the Revolution?
1. Land and __________________________ expansion
2. Large war _______________ and how to pay it
3. Threats from _________________________ and Spain
4. _____________________________________________ economy
Articles of Confederation Intro
• Each ___________________ created it’s own government
• __________________________________: people elect reps to govern on their behalf
• 1st document that created a central government in the newly independent states (1st written _________________)
• Written by John Dickinson
AOC Strengths
• The new national Confederation Congress had the power to
• Wage ____________________  declare ___________________________ 
Make ________________________________  conduct _________________________ affairs
AOC Weaknesses Potential problems with weakness
1. cannot collect __________ or ________________ trade 1.
2. no _________________ or _____________ branch 2.
3. ____________ out of 13 votes to change laws 3.
4. ___________ vote per state 4.
5. cannot draft an ________________________ 5.
6. No common ___________________________ (money) 6.
Confederation

Constitution
Articles of

2nd Constitutional Convention

▪ What was written during the 1st Constitutional Convention? ______________________________________
▪ The 2nd Constitutional Convention was called due to the AOC being ____________________________
▪ _______________________________________________________________________________________________
▪ George Washington was asked to _____________________________ over the convention.
▪ James Madison kept notes of the discussions and is often called “The _________ of the Constitution.”
▪ The men who wrote the Constitution are called the “___________________________________________.”