The Confederation’s Military

Worksheet Description

This worksheet addresses the struggles faced by the fledgling United States under the Articles of Confederation in establishing a unified national defense. It explains the limitations imposed by the Articles on the central government’s ability to raise a standing army and impose taxes, which in turn affected the nation’s defense capabilities. The content highlights the reliance on state militias, the difficulties in assembling a consistent national military force, and the implications for the nation’s security during conflicts such as Shays’ Rebellion. Furthermore, the worksheet considers how these defense issues exposed broader weaknesses in the Articles of Confederation.

The worksheet is designed to teach students about the complexities of maintaining national security in a decentralized political system. It illustrates how the Articles of Confederation’s provisions hampered the creation of a strong, centralized defense force and led to the reliance on state militias with varying levels of preparedness and commitment. Students learn about the consequences of these military limitations on national sovereignty and policy. It also prompts a discussion on how these challenges influenced the drafting of the U.S. Constitution, which sought to rectify these weaknesses to ensure a more robust national defense.