The Continental Congress adopted the Articles of Confederation, the first constitution of the United States, on November 15, 1777. However, ratification of the Articles of Confederation by all thirteen states did not occur until March 1, 1781. The Articles created a loose confederation of sovereign states and a weak central government, leaving most of the power with the state governments. The need for a stronger Federal government soon became apparent and eventually led to the Constitutional Convention in 1787. The present United States Constitution replaced the Articles of Confederation on March 4, 1789. The Articles of Confederation were great as long as America didn't actually have to do anything.
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How united were the states under the Articles of Confederation?
What fear was behind the system created in the Articles of Confederation?
What were two flaws in the Articles of Confederation?
How did the U.S. Constitution address those flaws?
Why don't we still have the Articles of Confederation as the US Constitution?
Would we be better off if the USA were bound less tightly, the states had most of the power, and the federal government had little power?
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Now, let’s commit this term to our long-term memory. On a scrap piece of paper, take 10 or 20 seconds to draw The Articles of Confederation! Draw with symbols or stick figures if you wish. Nothing fancy. Don’t expect a masterpiece. No one else will see this but you. Look at your drawing. That’s all - now it’s downloaded into your memory. Destroy the piece of paper in a most delightful way.