Central Powers

Worksheet Description

This worksheet explores the scope and limitations of the central government’s powers under the Articles of Confederation. It outlines how the Articles served as the initial governing document for the United States, detailing the central government’s specific functions like handling foreign relations, declaring war, and managing postal services. Despite these responsibilities, the document also notes the government’s significant weaknesses, such as the lack of authority to enforce laws or collect taxes directly from the people. These limitations underscored the decentralized nature of governance during this period and the heavy reliance on the states for implementation of federal decisions.

The worksheet seeks to teach students about the balance of power between the central government and the states in the nascent stages of the United States under the Articles of Confederation. It emphasizes the central government’s responsibilities, including diplomacy, warfare, and postal services, while also highlighting its constraints, like the inability to levy taxes or regulate commerce directly. By examining the structure of early American governance, students learn about the historical context that led to the drafting of the more robust United States Constitution. The aim is to foster an understanding of how these early governmental challenges shaped the political evolution of the country.