Title: Understanding the Articles of Confederation

Objective: By the end of this lesson, students will be able to understand the purpose, structure, strengths, and weaknesses of the Articles of Confederation and its impact on the formation of the United States Constitution.

Duration: 45 minutes

Materials: - Whiteboard or blackboard - Markers or chalk - Handouts with excerpts from the Articles of Confederation - Copies of the United States Constitution (optional)

Procedure:

1. Introduction (5 minutes) a. Begin the lesson by asking students if they have heard of the Articles of Confederation and what they know about it. b. Explain that the Articles of Confederation was the first written constitution of the United States, adopted in 1777 and ratified in 1781. c. State the objective of the lesson.

2. Purpose and Structure of the Articles of Confederation (10 minutes) a. Discuss the purpose of the Articles of Confederation, which was to establish a framework for a central government while preserving the sovereignty of individual states. b. Explain the structure of the Articles, highlighting the unicameral legislature, where each state had one vote, and the lack of an executive or judicial branch. c. Distribute handouts with excerpts from the Articles of Confederation and ask students to read and highlight key points.

3. Strengths of the Articles of Confederation (10 minutes) a. Engage students in a discussion about the strengths of the Articles, such as the ability to declare war, make treaties, and establish postal services. b. Emphasize the importance of the Northwest Ordinance of 1787, which provided a process for admitting new states to the Union and guaranteed certain rights to settlers in the Northwest Territory.

4. Weaknesses of the Articles of Confederation (10 minutes) a. Discuss the weaknesses of the Articles, including the lack of a strong central government, inability to regulate trade or collect taxes, and the requirement of unanimous consent to amend the Articles. b. Explain how these weaknesses led to economic instability, disputes among states, and difficulties in maintaining a national defense.

5. Impact on the United States Constitution (10 minutes) a. Introduce the United States Constitution as the document that replaced the Articles of Confederation in 1789. b. Discuss how the weaknesses of the Articles influenced the drafting of the Constitution, leading to the creation of a stronger central government with separate branches and the power to tax and regulate trade. c. Optional: Distribute copies of the Constitution and compare specific articles or amendments that address the weaknesses of the Articles.

6. Conclusion (5 minutes) a. Summarize the main points discussed during the lesson. b. Ask students to reflect on the significance of the Articles of Confederation in shaping the United States’ government structure. c. Encourage students to further explore the topic through additional readings or research.

Note: Depending on the grade level and prior knowledge of the students, the lesson can be adjusted by adding more interactive activities, group discussions, or multimedia resources.