1. Oct. 13, 2016 Reading over the Articles of Confederation
Notes/discussion over the Articles of Confederation
Shays Rebellion
HW: Read Zinn pages

2. During the Revolutionary War, the states created constitutions for themselves.
These constitutions kept the powers of the governor limited.
They didn’t want state leaders who could block the will of the people.
The states gave most of the powers to the state legislatures.

3. Articles of Confederation
America’s first plan of government
1781
Created a “league of friendship” amongst the states
States retained their sovereignty and independence

4. Articles of Confederation
Unicameral—One House
Each state has one vote in Congress
No Executive Branch
No Judicial Branch
Congressional Powers
Make War and Peace
Make Treaties
Borrow Money
Set up a money system
Build a Navy
Settle Disputes among states
States pledge to obey the Articles
No national government
State retained all powers not given to Congress
Unanimous vote required to make changes

5. Problems with the Articles of Confederation
Each state gets one vote no matter how many people live in the state
No leader to conduct foreign affairs
No judicial, no national courts, States could ignore national laws
Congress had very few powers
Could not raise an army, had to rely on state militia
No National money
No means to collect taxes
Established a confederation or Loose federation of friendship among the states
No central leadership, all the power was in the hands of the states
The central government only has as much power as regional governments are willing to give to it
Difficult to get all of the states to agree

6. What were some accomplishments of the Articles of Confederation?
Explain what happened during Shays rebellion and how it led to the creation of a new system of government.
Although it never seriously threatened the stability of the United States, Shays’ Rebellion greatly alarmed politicians throughout the nation. Proponents of constitutional reform at the national level cited the rebellion as justification for revision or replacement of the Articles of Confederation, and Shays’ Rebellion figured prominently in the debates over the framing and ratification of the Constitution.

7. Oct. 17, 2016 Zinn questions and discussion What is the Constitution?
Constitution Role Play
Quiz over the Constitutional Compromises Oct. 24
HW: Read Lies pages
Oct. 24/25– work on essay/outline/research paper. Laptops will be available or bring your own

8. What are two weaknesses of the Articles of Confederation?
What is one accomplishment of the Articles of Confederation?
What was the Annapolis Convention?

9. Students will be able to:
Explain the origins of the Constitution, including the Articles of Confederation.
Identify the major compromises necessary to produce the Constitution, and the roles of James Madison and George Washington.
Describe the conflict over ratification, including the Bill of Rights and the arguments of the Federalists and Anti-federalist.

10. What is Charles Beard’s thesis in An Economic Interpretation of the Constitution?
 Describe the 55 men who gathered in Philadelphia in 1787?
 What was the source of resentment in western towns of Massachusetts against the legislature in Boston?
How did disgruntled western farmers seek to improve their shaky economic situation?
What was Daniels Shays’ objective?
What was Thomas Jefferson’s view of popular uprisings?
How is Zinn critical of Madison’s argument in Federalist X?
 How does Zinn refute one of Beard’s critics, Robert E. Brown?
 How does Zinn argue the First Amendment is not as stable as one might assume?

11. What do you know abut the Constitution?
1. Who wrote the Constitution? 2. What is the Constitution? 3. Why is it important? 4. What’s the difference between the Constitution and Declaration of Independence? 5. What rights does it give us? 6. What rights doesn’t it give us?

12. Oct. 18, 2016 Discuss Lies reading Constitution Role Play
Constitution Compromises
Quiz over the Constitutional Compromises Oct. 24
HW: Read Vision pages
Oct. 24/25– work on essay/outline/research paper. Laptops will be available or bring your own

13. Read and discuss your role in your group
Write a short monologue indicating your hopes for the Constitutional Convention
Develop a tentative set of resolutions for each question “Burning issues”
Meet with other groups and build alliances, each group will pick a “traveling negotiator” to meet with the groups
When the traveler returns the groups will rewrite their resolutions based on the agreement with the other groups or alliances
Attend the Constitutional Convention