Primary source document of the Articles of Confederation with explanatory text and photograph of the Assembly Room at the Pennsylvania State House

Read the full text of the Articles of Confederation followed by the list of the signers of this important document.

A copy of the original Articles of Confederation presented by Yale Law School. Includes Thomas Jefferson's written discussion on the Articles of Confederation plus early drafts.

Fourth graders will be introduced to the primary documents of the Articles of Confederation and the US Constitution. They will figure out the weaknesses of the Articles of Confederation and compare them to the US Constitution. Students...

A comprehensive unit of the colonies gaining their independence from and trying to create an effective constitution establishing a new government. Find lessons, videos, and primary sources.

Take a quiz on the Articles of Confederation and the writing of the Constitution.

This history of the American Constitution discusses how the Constitution served as a basis for inspiring and regulating laws made across the nation.

A quick comprehension check over the articles of Confederation.

Activity comparing the Articles of Confederation to the Constitution. Using a variety of articles, students research and create a chart with explanations and critical comparisons of the two governing documents.

At this site from the University of Groningen's page of "From Revolution to Reconstruction", you can read the Articles of Confederation, written in 1781. Authors listed with the states for which they were writing.

See transcripts of the debates of the Federal Convention of 1787, the draft of the Constitution, or see the facsimiles of the original documents. Trace the progress of the Constitution using the historical documents themselves.

Ben's Guide is a fun way to present U.S. Government to students grades K-12. This site presents a brief history of the Constitution. Links to related sites are available.

This site provides the full text of the Articles of Confederation.

The Articles of Confederation were our first attempt at establishing a central government. It established the first Office of Foreign Affairs, but many weaknesses concerning foreign policy soon became apparent. Study how this first...

Gives a nice history of the Articles and also a summary of what they were and the problems that developed with their adoption. Includes links to the actual document.

Primary source documents (letters) concerning the need for a central government written by Madison, Hamilton, Jay, and others.

Presents key ideas for examining the problems with the Articles of Confederation and why they were replaced with the Constitution.

A good look at the government under the Articles of Confederation. See what powers the central government had, the powers of the state governments, and discover the problems that ensued.

During the Revolutionary War, it was necessary to put together some sort of central government, primarily to raise and pay an army. Read about the rules finally passed by Congress in 1777, called the Articles of Confederation. See what...

This informative and easy-to-read site contains information about how the United States formed its first government under the Articles of Confederation. From the Library of Congress

Take a quiz on the Articles of Confederation, Constitutional Convention, Northwest Ordinance and Shay's Rebellion.

This lesson looks at the development of the constitutional government in the United States. Students use technology to explore history concepts.

Among the many weaknesses of the Articles of Confederation was the inability of the government to conduct foreign policy in an effective manner. Find out how the Constitutional Convention addressed this issue by allowing the Executive...

This resource from the Architect of the Capitol is a government site that focuses on art and architecture in the U.S. Capitol. Features a picture of a marble statue of Sherman.