Articles of Confederation

High school (ages 12+)
History & Culture

Name:

Date:

Step 1 · Read the article

Open the article and read it at the level above. Then answer the questions below in your own words.

https://smallwhale.org/articles/articles-of-confederation

Write what each word means, using the article.

Do not copy the article. Write two things you learned, the way you would explain them to a friend.

Answers below are taken from the article’s stored facts, so they match what the student read.

1. What is the official name?Articles of Confederation and Perpetual Union
2. What is the time of debate?July 1776 to November 1777
3. Why did the Articles give each state only one vote?The writers wanted to keep the states equal and powerful, so each state got one vote no matter how big or small it was.
4. How did the Articles let the government collect money?The national government could not tax people directly; it had to ask each state for money, and many states did not give enough.

Confederal System: A political system where independent states delegate limited powers to a central government, retaining ultimate sovereignty.
Sovereignty: The supreme authority within a territory; the power to govern itself without external control.
Unicameral Legislature: A legislative body with only one chamber or house.
Fiscal Impotence: The inability of a government to effectively raise or manage money due to a lack of taxing or borrowing power.