Powers Of The Government Under The Articles Of Confederation

Middle School Social Studies The United States Constitution as a Living Document Nineteenth Century American History Teacher Resource Powers of the Government under the Articles of Confederation (SS080102)

State Government

Both National and State Governments

National Government

January 22, 2007 SCoPE SS080102 Page 1 of 5 Middle School Social Studies The United States Constitution as a Living Document Nineteenth Century American History Teacher Resource Strengths and Weaknesses of The Articles of Confederation (SS080102)

Strengths Weaknesses

January 22, 2007 SCoPE SS080102 Page 2 of 5 Middle School Social Studies The United States Constitution as a Living Document Nineteenth Century American History Teacher Resource Revising the Articles of Confederation (SS080102)

Group Members: ______

______

1. Our revision to The Articles of Confederation is:

2. This revision would resolve the problem of:

3. Does this revision create a new set of problems? Explain.

4. What would be the reaction of a natural rights philosopher after reading the revision? Why would the philosopher react this way?

5. How would this provision be evaluated under the social contract theory of government? Explain.

January 22, 2007 SCoPE SS080102 Page 3 of 5 Middle School Social Studies The United States Constitution as a Living Document Nineteenth Century American History Teacher Resource Powers of the Government under the Articles of Confederation - Answer Guide (SS080102)

State Government

 Each state was a free and sovereign state  Each state had its own judicial system  Power to levy and collect taxes  Power to enforce laws passed by Congress  States could send as many representatives to Congress as they wanted but each state had one vote

Both National and State Governments

 Power to petition or ask the states for  Establish maritime courts money  Authority to settle border  To make and wage disputes between states war  Regulate trade with Indian  Appoint ambassadors tribes  To enter into treaties  Set up post offices and charge postage  Appoint officers to the army and navy

National Government

January 22, 2007 SCoPE SS080102 Page 4 of 5 Middle School Social Studies The United States Constitution as a Living Document Nineteenth Century American History Teacher Resource Strengths and Weaknesses of The Articles of Confederation – Answer Guide (SS080102)

Strengths Weaknesses  Established a republican form of  The national government did not have government. the power to tax. Congress could only ask the states for money, but had no  Created the Northwest Ordinance enforcement power to insure compliance which: with the request. o Set up a plan for government o Set aside land for education  One vote per state regardless of o Allowed for transition from population. territory to statehood  The national government did not have a  The United States established system to enforce the decisions of diplomatic relations with foreign Congress. nations (the Netherlands, France, Spain, Russia, etc.).  No national court system to help interpret laws. Each state maintained its  The United States borrowed money own judicial system. from international lenders, thereby establishing America as a participant  Amendments allowed only with in the world economy. unanimous consent of the 13 states.

Under the Confederation, the United   Any decision by the national States fielded the Continental Army, government that involved money won the war against Great Britain, required 9 of the 13 states to ratify it. and negotiated a peace settlement.

 Established the name of the  The national government was powerless confederation as “The United States to regulate foreign and interstate of America.” commerce (trade between and among states) even though it had authority to do  Established freedom of movement so. (excluding fugitives) from state to state and entitled people to the rights of citizens in that state when they traveled.

Note: These answers are intended to facilitate discussion. Students may not have access to all of them.

January 22, 2007 SCoPE SS080102 Page 5 of 5