In this Grade 5 lesson from IMPACT California Social Studies, students explore the Articles of Confederation as the first governing document of the United States, examining how it created a Confederation Congress while allowing states to retain independent powers like taxation and printing money. Students learn why the Articles ultimately proved too weak to unite the nation, including key events like Shays's Rebellion and the passage of the Northwest Ordinance. The lesson also covers how the Northwest Territory was organized and the impact of early U.S. expansion on American Indian peoples.
Section 1
Creating a Weak National Government
After the Revolution, Americans feared creating another powerful government like the one in Great Britain. They wanted the thirteen states to keep most of their own power and independence.
Leaders created the Articles of Confederation, which became the official plan for the national government in 1781.
Section 2
A Weak Government Faces Money Problems
Under the Articles of Confederation, the new national government was designed to be weak.
This weakness created serious money problems. The national government did not have the power to tax people, so it could not raise money to pay soldiers or its debts. It had to ask the states for money, which they rarely gave. Different states also used their own currency, making trade confusing and difficult.
Section 3
Congress Organizes the Northwest Territory
Even with its weaknesses, the government under the Articles of Confederation had some major successes.
After the Revolutionary War, the United States controlled a large new area of land called the Northwest Territory. The government needed a plan for this land.
Section 4
Native Americans Defend the Northwest Territory
The Northwest Ordinance encouraged American settlers to move into the Northwest Territory. However, many Native American groups already lived on this land and did not want to leave their homes.
To defend their land, several tribes formed a military alliance. In 1791, a Miami chief named Little Turtle led this alliance to a major victory against U.S. troops. This defeat showed that the weak government under the Articles of Confederation struggled to control its new lands.
Expand to review the lesson summary and core properties.
Section 1
Creating a Weak National Government
After the Revolution, Americans feared creating another powerful government like the one in Great Britain. They wanted the thirteen states to keep most of their own power and independence.
Leaders created the Articles of Confederation, which became the official plan for the national government in 1781.
Section 2
A Weak Government Faces Money Problems
Under the Articles of Confederation, the new national government was designed to be weak.
This weakness created serious money problems. The national government did not have the power to tax people, so it could not raise money to pay soldiers or its debts. It had to ask the states for money, which they rarely gave. Different states also used their own currency, making trade confusing and difficult.
Section 3
Congress Organizes the Northwest Territory
Even with its weaknesses, the government under the Articles of Confederation had some major successes.
After the Revolutionary War, the United States controlled a large new area of land called the Northwest Territory. The government needed a plan for this land.
Section 4
Native Americans Defend the Northwest Territory
The Northwest Ordinance encouraged American settlers to move into the Northwest Territory. However, many Native American groups already lived on this land and did not want to leave their homes.
To defend their land, several tribes formed a military alliance. In 1791, a Miami chief named Little Turtle led this alliance to a major victory against U.S. troops. This defeat showed that the weak government under the Articles of Confederation struggled to control its new lands.