Even the Founders Made Mistakes: Why the Articles of Confederation Was Replaced by the Constitution

https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Articles_page1.jpg

The Second Continental Congress, after signing the Declaration of Independence, had to come up with some rules with which they could govern the colonies. They created the first constitution, the Articles of Confederation, which lasted through the winning of the American Revolution. Eventually its weaknesses were exposed and was replaced by the US Constitution.

https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Constitution_of_the_United_States,_page_1.jpg

Essential Question: What events led to the writing of the US Constitution?

Engage:

• What Were the Articles of Confederation? video (2:28)

Explore:

• Video The Making of the Constitution (54:08) from the series Liberty: The American Revolution published by PBS

Explain:

• How did Shay's Rebellion expose the weakness of the Articles of Confederation?
• Who were the Federalists? Anti-Federalists?
• Why did some of the Framers demand a 'Bill of Rights'? 

Evaluate:

• Student Questions PDF

Extend:

•  Liberty Episode 6 Site
• Philadelphia 1791 Newspaper