U.S. History · Unit 2 · Articles of Confederation

A Union in Question

Printable review companion · Review how the structure of the Confederation shaped the new nation’s ability to govern.

Eyeballs over screens. Use this after studying the topic, with your existing class notes and assigned readings. Work on paper, independently or with a partner. This companion can be saved or printed from your browser and used without an internet connection.

Review and discuss

1. Using your notes, make two columns: powers held by Congress and powers retained by the states. Explain one consequence of that division.
2. Choose a problem under the Articles that you studied in class. Identify the power Congress needed and explain why the existing arrangement made action difficult.
3. Explain why someone might have preferred a weak national government. Then respond to that argument with evidence from the period.

Thinking to carry forward

Which feature of the Confederation most affected its ability to govern, and why?

Compare your reasoning with your notes and discuss uncertainties with your teacher. There is no automated scoring or answer key.