#1: Why did the Articles of Confederation fail?

Summary

In this lesson, students are introduced to the Articles of Confederation, the first failed attempt at forming a government in the newly independent United States after the Revolutionary War. The video covers the critical period from 1783 to 1788 when the country faced instability and the founding fathers struggled to create a federal government that balanced power between states and the nation. The lesson emphasizes federalism and the challenges of uniting the states under one constitution. The Articles of Confederation ultimately failed and were replaced by the U.S. Constitution, which is still in use today.

Takeaways

• 📜 The new unit focuses on the failed government attempt known as The Articles of Confederation.
• 🇺🇸 The American Revolution ended in 1783, and the United States gained independence from England.
• ⏳ The five-year period after the Revolution, until 1788, is called the Confederation Period.
• ❗ This period is also known as the Critical Period due to the instability and uncertainty of the new nation.
• 👨‍⚖️ The 13 colonies are now 13 states, and the Founding Fathers, including George Washington and Thomas Jefferson, led the government.
• 📖 A constitution is a written set of rules for how a government operates, outlining the process for laws, leadership, and government powers.
• ⚖️ The Founding Fathers had to create a powerful federal government to unite the states but avoid making it too strong.
• 🏛️ Federalism was established, meaning power is shared between the federal and state governments.
• 🛠️ The Articles of Confederation was the first attempt at federalism but failed to create a proper balance between federal and state power.
• 📚 The Articles of Confederation was replaced by the U.S. Constitution, which is still in use today.

Q & A

What is the main focus of the lesson?

The lesson focuses on the Articles of Confederation, the first failed attempt at government in the United States, and its impact during the Confederation period.

What was the historical context at the start of this unit?

The unit begins in 1783, after the American Revolution, when the Patriots had won independence from England and the United States was a new country.

What was the Confederation period?

The Confederation period was a five-year period following the American Revolution, during which the United States was governed by the Articles of Confederation.

Why is this period also called the 'critical period'?

It is called the 'critical period' because the new United States lacked stability and it was uncertain if the country would remain intact.

What challenge did the Founding Fathers face after the American Revolution?

The Founding Fathers had to create a constitution that could unite the 13 newly independent states, despite their differences.

What is a federal government?

A federal government is a government that has power over the entire country, and its laws apply to all states equally.

What is federalism and why was it important?

Federalism is a system where power is shared between the federal government and state governments. It was important because it balanced the need for a strong central government with the fear of giving it too much power.

What was one of the main weaknesses of the Articles of Confederation?

The Articles of Confederation failed to create a strong balance between federal and state powers, leading to instability and problems in governing the new nation.

What happened after the Articles of Confederation failed?

After the Articles of Confederation failed, the Founding Fathers replaced it with a new constitution—the U.S. Constitution, which is still in use today.

What is one example of a federal power and a state power under federalism?

An example of a federal power is declaring war, while an example of a state power is controlling public schools and deciding the curriculum.