Constitutional Conundrums

Worksheet Description

The worksheet is about the weaknesses and challenges faced by the newly independent United States under the Articles of Confederation. It details how the lack of a strong central government led to issues such as the inability to enforce laws, regulate trade, levy taxes, or maintain uniformity in foreign policy and legal systems. It points out the inadequacies of the Articles in providing for national defense and economic regulation, as well as the problems arising from the requirement for unanimous consent to amend the governing document. The text also touches on the lack of a national currency and the ineffectiveness of the unicameral legislature, which lacked a separate executive and judiciary.

The intent of this worksheet is to teach students about the imperfections of the United States’ first attempt at self-governance following the Revolutionary War. It aims to provide insight into how these flaws necessitated the creation of the U.S. Constitution, which established a more balanced and robust federal system. The worksheet encourages students to consider the difficulties of governing a diverse set of states with varying interests under a weak federal system. It also underscores the Articles of Confederation’s role as a critical learning experience that guided the nation’s founding fathers toward a more effective model of government.