Oklahoma Social Studies 8.C.2.1
The Standard
- 8.C.2
- Examine key military and diplomatic events of the Revolutionary War that resulted in an independent nation.
Summarize the effectiveness of the Articles of Confederation as the first national system of government for the purpose of conducting the war against Britain.
Oklahoma Academic Standards for Social Studies (2026) · 8.C.2
Teacher's field guide
What This Standard Means
What Students Need to Do
- Students explain how Congress directed the war with Britain and made treaties. They weigh those powers against its inability to tax people directly or force states to send money.
What Mastery Looks Like
- A student names the peace treaty with Britain as a success and unpaid state requests as a weakness. They explain why winning the war did not mean Congress had a reliable way to pay soldiers.
Common Misconceptions
- Students may think the Articles were in place when the war began in 1775, though they took effect in 1781. They may assume Congress could tax people directly, or that victory meant funding was never a problem.
How to Assess It
- Exit ticket: In 1782, Congress needs money for soldiers. Explain how it can seek funds, why that plan may fail, and name one achievement against Britain.
Lesson moves
Ways to Teach It
Hand groups 13 state cards worth $10 each, with three marked 'refuse,' and a $100 army supply bill; let Congress request payments.
Ask, 'If the army won but Congress could not tax, was the government effective?' Require one success and one funding problem.
Play Sort the Powers with cards reading 'make treaties,' 'request state money,' and 'tax citizens'; students sort allowed powers from missing powers.
Show a school club budget funded by voluntary donations; ask how missing payments would affect buying supplies for a field trip.
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Related Standards
- 5.C.4.3.B
Explain the importance of the Articles of Confederation to wage a war and conduct foreign diplomacy.
- 8.C.3.1.B
Identify the weaknesses of the Articles of Confederation, including the lack of a common national currency, means for common defense, national judiciary to sett...
- 5.C.4.3
Examine the first United States of America centralized system of government under the Continental Congress and established by the Articles of Confederation.
- 8.C.3.1.A
Identify strengths of the United States of America’s government operating under the Articles of Confederation, including a solution to territorial disputes, as ...
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