September 17 th - Articles of Confederation

1. September 17th- Articles of Confederation Do Now: Consider the word government. What does it mean to you? What is its purpose? What examples can you give of institutions that involve some sort of governmental structure? How do these governmental structures influence your everyday life?

2. When the colonists first came to America, they modeled their governments after the British governments in their legislative assemblies and courts. • After the Revolutionary War the colonies feared a central government holding too much power because of their previous experience with the British king. • They created a governing document that left many important powers to the states. • The Articles provided a unicameral structure for the new government and established a “League of friendship” among the 13 independent states. Articles of Confederation

3. Students count off by 13 and sit in their group. • We will be voting on New Procedures for History Class based on the following process: • One group nominates a procedure. • The nomination must be seconded by another group. • There is a discussion on the positives of the nominated procedure. • Each groups vote to decide if the procedure will be adopted. • Once 3 procedures have been approved, groups get one minute to discuss whether to approve the New Procedures. • There is a vote. It must be approved by nine groups to pass. New Procedures for History

4. 1.The type of music that will always be played in class is ______________. • 1 minute to discuss. • One group nominates. • Another group seconds. • Discuss. • Vote. (Majority rules) Procedures

5. 2. The new homework policy in this class will be_______________. • 1 minute to discuss. • One group nominates. • Another group seconds. • Discuss. • Vote. (Majority rules)

6. 3. The new way that we show our fellow classmates that they said/did something spectacular is no longer snapping. We will now _______________. • 1 minute to discuss. • One group nominates. • Another group seconds. • Discuss. • Vote. (Majority rules)

7. Vote to approve New Procedures. • Must have 9 groups’ approval to pass.

8. What feelings did you experience as you tried to pass New Procedures? • Could the class come to an agreement on a New Procedures? • What would have happened if the decision had been based on majority rule? • What are the weaknesses of this type of decision-making system? What are the benefits? • Why might a government institute this type of system? • What do you think might happen in a government with this type of system? Discussion

9. Look at the note-sheet on the Articles of Confederation. You can use your textbook for extra clarification (pgs. 66-68). • Read in pairs and highlight the weaknesses. • Star the weaknesses that the class encountered in the activity. • Write any questions/clarifications needed in the margin. • Stop reading at “Need for Stronger Government”. Articles of Confederation

10. Discuss. • Questions? Clarifications? • “Need for a Stronger Government” • Shay's Rebellion Articles of Confederation