Idaho Social Studies 9-12.GOV.3

Social StudiesGrades 9–12American Government

The Standard

Identify the strengths and weaknesses of the Articles of Confederation.

Idaho Content Standards: K-12 Social Studies · Foundations of the American Political System

Teacher's field guide

What Students Need to Do: Students identify what the national government could do, such as make treaties and organize western lands. They explain how state control limited Congress, especially its inability to collect taxes or regulate trade.
What Mastery Looks Like: Given a problem the country faced, students can point to the rule that caused it. They can explain why state independence appealed to some people but made it harder for Congress to act.
Common Misconceptions: Students may think Congress could collect taxes but chose not to. Some assume the Articles created a president and federal courts, or that the government accomplished nothing.
How to Assess It: Exit ticket: Congress needs to pay soldiers, but states send no money. Explain why Congress cannot solve this alone, then name one accomplishment under the Articles.

Lesson moves

Give 13 groups two counters each and ask them to fund a shared army through voluntary contributions; tally what Congress receives.
Ask: Was keeping tax power with states worth the risk of an unpaid army? Defend your answer with one example.
Sort cards labeled Northwest Ordinance, state control, no national taxes, and unanimous amendments into strengths and weaknesses; defend one choice.
Compare two club budget cards, one funded by optional donations and one by fixed dues, then link the result to Congress's funding problem.

Free download

A ready-to-print activity worksheet aligned to 9-12.GOV.3, with an answer key for the teacher on its own page. No account needed.

PDF, US Letter, prints cleanly in black and white.

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