During the Revolutionary War, the thirteen colonies needed a way to work together to manage the war effort, conduct relations with foreign nations, and address territorial issues throughout the colonies. This governing document of the new United States was ratified by the thirteen colonies in 1781.
So they created a “league of friendship” called the Articles of Confederation.
The Articles worked for a while, but they weren’t perfect. The major downfall of the Articles of Confederation was that the document wasn’t strong enough. The new federal government was too weak to enforce the Articles’ laws, and therefore it had no power.
Comprehension Questions
1. What was the war mentioned in this passage?
A. The Civil War.
B. The Revolutionary War.
C. World War II.
2. Why did the Articles of Confederation end up not being successful?
A. The people of the United States of America didn't like the laws in the Articles of Confederation.
B. This is false, the Articles of Confederation worked perfectly forever.
C. The document wasn't strong enough and the government at the time could not enforce the laws written in the document.
A. The people of the United States of America didn't like the laws in the Articles of Confederation.
B. This is false, the Articles of Confederation worked perfectly forever.
C. The document wasn't strong enough and the government at the time could not enforce the laws written in the document.
Your Thoughts
3. Did you like this excerpt? Why or why not?
Vocabulary
4. List any vocabulary words below.