Grade 8 Lesson at a Glance: Chapter 3, Lesson 2

Houghton Mifflin Social Studies
A More Perfect Union

Lesson at a Glance
Chapter 3, Lesson 2: The Articles of Confederation (pp. 90-94)

The Big Idea
Framework Concept: Interconnectedness The limited powers of the U.S. government under the Articles of Confederation created many problems.

Review with students Congressional powers under the Articles of Confederation. Outline both the powers the states gave up by joining the Confederation, and the powers the states retained. Encourage students to see the problems this division of powers could lead to.

Talk with students about the money crisis Congress faced during and after the Revolutionary war. Point out that when the states did not send in their share of the costs, the central government needed to find the money some other way. Ask students what people might have thought of the new government when it could not pay its bills.

Lesson Outline
Use the Lesson Outline to preview the content of the lesson. You may wish to print it for your students as a guide during reading.

Check for Understanding

Ask students to pretend to be Americans in 1790 and to make a list of the reasons why the new central government of the United States should be weak. Then have make a list of problems that might result from this form of government.
Divide students into four groups corresponding to the four departments Congress established under the Articles--foreign affairs, war, finance, and the post office. Have each group determine one or two things the department could do under the Articles, and one or two it could not do. Have each group present their findings to the rest of the class.

Social Studies Center | Houghton Mifflin Social Studies | Grade 8 Home
Education Place | Site Index

You may download, print, and make copies of Lesson at a Glance pages for use in your classroom, provided that you include the copyright notice shown below on all such copies.