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Articles of Confederation – Timeline

Guiding Questions

  • What challenges did the new nation face after gaining independence? 
  • How did the Articles of Confederation address these challenges? 

Objectives 

  • Students will analyze the major challenges faced by the U.S. after independence. 
  • Students will evaluate how the Articles of Confederation attempted to address the challenges.  

Student Resources:

  • Timeline 

Teacher Resources:

  • A set of 10 index cards (or sticky notes) for the optional engage activity 
  • A worksheet with 5 simple math problems, vocabulary definitions, or historical matching questions for the optional engage activity 

Engage 

  • Ask students to define the word “effective”  
    • If students struggle to begin, use the word in a sentence like His speech was effective in persuading me to vote for him as class president.” 

Optional Activity: Two small groups of 3-4 students compete to complete a task “most effectively.” 

Efficiency Activity 

  • Assemble two small groups of 3-4 student volunteers. 
  • Give each group 5 index cards. Their task is to write the answers to the five questions (one per card) as quickly and accurately as possible. 
  • Rules: 
    • Every team member must contribute. 
    • Teams must decide on the best way to distribute the work (e.g., assign roles, divide problems, double-check answers). 
    • The first group to complete all five answers correctly wins. 
  • Debrief (1-2 min): 
    • Ask each the class:  
      • What strategies did you see?  
      • Did the groups prioritize speed, accuracy, or teamwork?  
      • Which group was most “effective”? 

Transition: Tell students “Today they will investigate the Articles of Confederation as it attempted to address the challenges facing the emerging nation. After we look at a few events you’ll be asked to rate if the Articles of Confederation was effective in governing the new nation based on what you view today.” 

Explore 

Timeline Exploration 

  • Access the timeline. 
  • Read the Treaty of Paris (1783) with students then ask, “How did this treaty benefit the U.S., and what challenges did it pose for a weak central government?” 
  • Next, read Shays’ Rebellion (1786) and ask, “Why couldn’t the national government effectively respond?” 
  • Finally, read the Northwest Ordinance (1787), and ask, “How did this show the Articles’ strengths in managing western lands?” 

Group Work 

Transition: Divide students into small groups. 

  • Have each group fill out a T-chart listing strengths and weaknesses of the Articles based on the three events on the timeline: Treaty of Paris, Shays’ Rebellion, and the Northwest Ordinance.  
  • Groups share their charts and create a class-wide T-chart on the board. 

 

Assess & Reflect

  • Ask students to make a thesis statement agreeing or disagreeing with the prompt “The Articles of Confederation were effective.” 
    • For more thesis resources, consider using: 
      • Unit 1 DBQ mini-lesson on Thesis 
      • Unit 1 DBQ graphic organizer for Thesis 
      • Unit 1 Video 

Extend 

  • Complete the Weaknesses of the Articles of Confederation lesson