1. Articles of Confederation
1781-1789
©2012, TESCCC Grade 08, Unit 04 Lesson 01

2. Yay!
We are
free!
©2012, TESCCC

3. • Loose • Describe the opposite
of a confederation.
• Why did the colonists
prefer a weak central
government instead
of a strong central
government?
Confederation: Central government has limited
power and the states hold most of the power
©2012, TESCCC

4. Colonists
Colonists
vs.
Great Britain
American
Revolution
Self-Governance
Independent
Articlesof
Confederation
U.S.
Constitution
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5. Who should have more power?
The states or the national/central
government?
A dilemma our country still struggles with even
today
©2012, TESCCC

6. Articles of Confederation
1781-1789
Can you predict what replaced the Articles of
Confederation?
Why did it need to be replaced?
Second Continental Congress
©2012, TESCCC

7. Articles of Confederation: Strengths
• Wage war
• Issue money
• Sign treaties (make peace)
• Set up post offices
• Appoint ambassadors
• Settle conflicts between states
©2012, TESCCC

8. Articles of Confederation:
Weaknesses
• No President (Executive)
• No national army only state militias
• No national/federal court
• No power to enforce laws (regulate trade)
• No power to tax
• States were sovereign
• One vote per state regardless of the state
population
• 9/13 states to pass a law
• 13/13 states to amend (make changes)
©2012, TESCCC