Stitching States Together

Worksheet Description

This worksheet is about the Articles of Confederation, the first governing document of the United States, which aimed to unite thirteen newly independent states under a common framework. It served as the foundation for American governance, establishing the principles of state sovereignty and mutual cooperation. The Articles were unique in that they created a central government where each state had equal representation regardless of size, focusing on collective action and common defense. However, the Articles were also marked by significant limitations, including the lack of a strong central executive and difficulties in amending the document, which led to issues in economic policy and interstate relations.

The worksheet aims to teach students about the initial challenges in creating a unified national government after the American Revolution. It highlights the Articles of Confederation’s role in laying the groundwork for American democracy, showing how they provided a loose but necessary alliance between the states. The content further illustrates the obstacles the Confederation faced, such as ineffective governance and financial disputes, which underscored the need for a stronger, more centralized framework. Through this lesson, students can understand the historical significance of the Articles and the reasons behind the eventual move to draft the U.S. Constitution.