Introduction

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Lesson Objectives

Following successful completion of this lesson, students will be able to...

  • Evaluate the strengths and weaknesses of the Articles of Confederation
  • Identify the challenges faced by the newly established U.S. government under the Articles of Confederation
  • Describe the beginnings of the US's westward expansion with the Northwest Ordinances of 1785 and 1787

Essential Questions

  • What were the key elements of the Articles of Confederation, including its strengths and weaknesses?

Enduring Understandings

  • The United States Constitution provides the structure of the United States government and was created by the Founders to be a living document.
  • The conflicts in ideologies that affected the ratification of the U.S. Constitution indirectly led to the development of political parties.

The above objectives correspond with the Alabama Course of Study: United States History I standards: 4.2 and 7.