Experiencing the Weaknesses of the Articles of Confederation
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EXPERIENCING THE WEAKNESSES OF THE ARTICLES OF CONFEDERATION
Transcript of Experiencing the Weaknesses of the Articles of Confederation
EXPERIENCING THE WEAKNESSES OF THE ARTICLES OF CONFEDERATION
WEAKNESSES OF THE ARTICLES
How did you feel as you tried to reach an agreement?
What are the weaknesses of this type of decision-making system? What are the benefits?
What might be a better way to have the class make a decision?
WEAKNESSES OF THE ARTICLES
Congress was composed of 13 states.
Each state had one vote in Congress.
The class was divided into 13 groups.
Each group of students had one vote.
Articles of Confederation
Classroom Experience
WEAKNESSES OF THE ARTICLES
Congress dealt with many problems, such as how to develop the western lands acquired by the United States in the Treaty of Paris.
Congress failed to resolve disputes between states over taxes and boundaries.
Students tried to choose a radio station to listen to.
The class failed to choose a station to listen to.
Articles of Confederation
Classroom Experience
WEAKNESSES OF THE ARTICLES
Many citizens were concerned that the government was too weak.
Some students became dissatisfied and frustrated.
Articles of Confederation
Classroom Experience
WHAT COMPROMISES EMERGED FROM THE CONSTITUTIONAL CONVENTION?
What worried James Madison about the future of the United States?
Why did many members of Congress fear a strong central government?
What were some of the government’s powers under the Articles of Confederation? What were some of its limitations?
WEAKNESS OF THE ARTICLES OF CONFEDERATION
Limited Powers: New laws required approval of nine states Congress could not regulate trade or set taxes No president to enforce the laws No courts to settle conflicts between states
Government did not have the power to resolve conflicts between states
Congress couldn’t raise money to repay debts from the Revolution
Other countries took advantage of weak central government
ADMITTING NEW STATES
The Land Ordinance of 1785 set up system for settling the North West Territory Territory would be surveyed and divided into
townships The North West Ordinance provided a way to
admit new states When a territory has 5,000 free adult males, it
can elect its own legislature. When the population reaches 60,000, a territory
can apply for statehood. Settlers have same rights and privileges as other
citizens Slavery is banned.
A CALL FOR CHANGE
After the Revolution, the nation suffered an economic depression Period when business activity slows, prices and
wages fall, and unemployment rises Farmers Revolt:
Shay’s Rebellion – organized uprising of Massachusetts farmers, protesting taxes and property seizures
SHAY’S REBELLION
Congress didn’t have enough gold or silver to mint coins, which caused money shortages
Farmers had difficulty earning enough to pay their debts and taxes
Farmers were required to sell their land and livestock to pay their debts.
Many Americans saw these things as signs that the nation was falling apart.
Congress called for a convention to revise the Articles of Confederation.
People like Madison concluded that a nation made up of many groups needs a strong central gvn’t.
Causes Effects
Period 1: Please take out your workbooks!
Period 2,4,5,6:Please take out your American Revolution Graphic Organizers and workbooks and have a seat right away!
THE CONSTITUTIONAL CONVENTIONExperiencing the Drama…
THE CONSTITUTIONAL CONVENTION
It’s the summer of 1787 and you are delegates to the Constitutional Convention.
You have come to Philadelphia to revise the Articles of Confederation, but now you have decided to just throw them out and start over.
Some of you are happy about this change but others are angered by it.
Quickly find a seat so we can begin the debate…
WHO AM I?
Read your delegate card very carefully. You are responsible for taking on the persona of your delegate and correctly expressing his views. Your delegate card is super secret to don’t show it to anyone!
Make a name tag to let us know who you are: It should say:
Your nameYour stateA simple picture that represents your delegates personal background and character.
You have 10 minutes to do this!
INTRODUCTIONS
Introduce yourself to the people in the room. Remember to use formal introductions:
For example, “I am heartily glad to see you , Mr. Madison.” or “It is a pleasure to be in your company, Doctor Franklin.”
Stay in character the whole time! Your delegate card is super secret so don’t
show it to anyone!
VOW OF SECRECY
I promise not to divulge to the public what is discussed at this convention.
Close the windows and the door!
PREPARING FOR THE DEBATE
Don’t forget to read your role cards to see what your delegate thinks!
Meet with others who believe like you do to come up with an argument to support your cause.
Decide with the other delegates from your state which proposal you will support. Read your role card!
Each state gets one vote and all delegates from that state must agree or the vote doesn’t count.
Prepare arguments to support your proposal. Read the “Points to Raise During the Convention”
part of your role card!
THE DEBATE: HOW SHOULD STATES BE REPRESENTED IN THE NEW GVN’T?
Proposals for How States Will Be Represented in the New Government
Proposal A The number of representatives a state sends to
Congress will depend on the size of the state’s population.
Proposal B Each state will have an equal number of
representatives in Congress, regardless of the state’s size.
Proposal C The number of representatives a state sends to
Congress will depend partially on the wealth of the citizens of the state.
GET SOME INFO FIRST
Please read chapter 8, section 5 in the Orange textbook and fill out the 8.5 part of the worksheet.
Period 1: Please take out your name tags, delegate cards, and your workbooks!
Period 2,4,5,6:Please pick up a paper from the side desk and a seat right away!
THE DEBATE: HOW SHOULD STATES BE REPRESENTED IN THE NEW GVN’T?
Proposals for How States Will Be Represented in the New Government
Proposal A The number of representatives a state sends to
Congress will depend on the size of the state’s population.
Proposal B Each state will have an equal number of
representatives in Congress, regardless of the state’s size.
Proposal C The number of representatives a state sends to
Congress will depend partially on the wealth of the citizens of the state.
PROCEDURE FOR DISCUSSING THE PROPOSALS
Step 1: One state delegation nominates one of the proposals above.
Step 2: The nomination is seconded by another state.
Step 3: The nomination is discussed and debated for three to five minutes.
Step 4: The nominated proposal is voted upon. To pass, the nomination must be approved by a majority of the states. A majority means that a proposal receives more than half of the votes.
Step 5: If the proposal does not pass, repeat the process with a new nomination.
WE NEED A COMPROMISE!
The delegates must come up with a solution or you will all LOSE 10 points for this activity.
Let’s take a break from the convention to discuss with each other compromises.
THE DEBATE: HOW SHOULD STATES BE REPRESENTED IN THE NEW GVN’T?
Proposals for How States Will Be Represented in the New Government
Proposal A The number of representatives a state sends to
Congress will depend on the size of the state’s population.
Proposal B Each state will have an equal number of
representatives in Congress, regardless of the state’s size.
Proposal C The number of representatives a state sends to
Congress will depend partially on the wealth of the citizens of the state.
PROCEDURE FOR DISCUSSING THE PROPOSALS
Step 1: One state delegation nominates one of the proposals above.
Step 2: The nomination is seconded by another state.
Step 3: The nomination is discussed and debated for three to five minutes.
Step 4: The nominated proposal is voted upon. To pass, the nomination must be approved by a majority of the states. A majority means that a proposal receives more than half of the votes.
Step 5: If the proposal does not pass, repeat the process with a new nomination.
Period 1: Please take out your workbooks!
Period 2,4,5,6:Please take out your American Revolution Graphic Organizers and workbooks and have a seat right away!
GET SOME INFO!
Please read 8.6 to 8.10 and finish the worksheet.
SIGNING THE CONSTITUTION
Check your role card to see if your delegate signed the Constitution.
If your delegate did not sign, you must be prepared to explain why (check your role card!).
Can we hear from Dr. Franklin… Let’s sign it!
LET’S TALK ABOUT WHAT WE’VE DONE… How did it feel to act as a delegate to the
Constitutional Convention? What was the most challenging part of being a
delegate to the Constitutional Convention? What was the most rewarding part?
What issues did the delegates have to resolve? How did they resolve them?
Why was it important for the delegates to compromise on certain issues?
What compromises emerged from the Constitutional Convention?
In what ways do you think your experience was different from that of the actual delegates? In what ways do you think your experience was similar?
