Can you beat

Ross at
Chandler’s
dumb states
game?

Watch the
video clip!
How many states can you name in 6 minutes?
 Enquiry Question:
How significant is the US Constitution?
 Learning Outcomes
• To understand the history of the American
revolution
• To explain why the Articles of Confederation
failed
• To analyse the impact of the constitutional
convention
• What caused the American Revolution?
• Why were the British defeated?
• What were the consequences of the
American victory?

Crash Course: American Revolution

 Learning Outcomes
• To understand the history of the American
revolution
• To explain why the Articles of Confederation
failed
• To analyse the impact of the constitutional
convention
 How was the USA governed after the
revolution?
• During and after the American Revolutionary War, the
government of the new country operated under the
Articles of Confederation.
• While these Articles got the young nation through its
war with England, they weren't of much use when it
came to running a country.
• So, the founding fathers decided try their hand at
nation-building, and they created the Constitution of
the United States.

Use the video clip to answer the questions.

How did the convention come What were some of the What was Shays' Rebellion?
together? compromises that had to be
made?

What were the Federalist What is the “elite vs rabble What is an anti-federalist?
Papers? dynamic” of the houses of
congress?
 What was the purpose of the Articles of
Confederation
“Each state keeps ‘its sovereignty, freedom, and
independence, and every power, jurisdiction,
and right . . . not . . . expressly delegated to the
United States in Congress assembled.’ In other
words, every state was as independent as
possible with the United States was responsible
for the common defense, security of liberties,
and the general welfare.”
- Martin Kelly
 Why did the Articles of Confederation
fail?
YOUR TASK:
• Read the Articles of Confederation.
• Highlight or underline the elements that would make
this government weak.

Weaknesses of the Articles of Confederation

• Each state only had one vote in Congress, regardless of size.
• Congress had not have the power to tax.
• Congress did not have the power to regulate foreign and interstate
commerce.
• There was no executive branch to enforce any acts passed by Congress.
• There was no national court system.
• Amendments to the Articles of Confederation required a unanimous vote.
• Laws required a 9/13 majority to pass in Congress.
 Why did the Articles of Confederation
fail?
• States argued
• No financial support for nat gov
• Nat = powerless to enforce law/acts it passed
• States = bilateral agreements with foreign govs + military +
currency
• Economic instability
• Shays’ Rebellion – protest (debt + economic chaos)
• Nat go – unable to gather military from states
• Economic weakness + military weakness = questioning nat gov
• Some states met to deal with trade and economic problems
• Need for strong nat gov became apparent
• More states became interesting in changing Articles
• Meeting set up – 25th May 1787 in Philadelphia (Constitutional
Convention)
 Learning Outcomes
• To understand the history of the American
revolution
• To explain why the Articles of Confederation
failed
• To analyse the impact of the constitutional
convention
In what ways were the Articles and Constitution
different? Read both documents to help you!

• Details
• Laid foundations Congress’
• Laid foundation
for Confederate rights and
duties for federal
Government
• Congress has government
• Unicameral power over
military • Bicameral
government
• Foundational legislature
governing
• Requires document • Requires 9 states
unanimous • Only for ratification
ratification government
can send and
• President
• No president receive
ambassadors
 What was the impact of the
Constitutional Convention?
Short Term Effects
• Establishment of three branches of
government
• Strong central government
• Establishment of federalism
Long Term Effects
• Increased confidence in national government
• Debates over states' rights
 Learning Outcomes
• To understand the history of the American
revolution
• To explain why the Articles of Confederation
failed
• To analyse the impact of the constitutional
convention
YOUR TASK:
• Read the USA in statistics hand
out.
• What assumptions can you
make about the USA based on
this data?
 Homework
Application Task:
N/A
Flipped Learning Preparation Task:
Reading and Note Taking:
Nature of the US Constitution
(Edexcel Politics for AS & A Level, Pearson p320-323)
Stretch & Challenge Task
History.com – Articles of Confederation