Articles of Confederation: Why Weren’t They Enough?

You are about to explore the first attempt at governing the United States. This worksheet helps you understand the Articles of Confederation and why they did not work as well as leaders hoped. By looking closely at real challenges, history starts to make sense.
 

You learn what the national government could and could not do under the Articles. Short explanations help you see why problems like collecting taxes, raising an army, and solving state disagreements were difficult. Big ideas become clearer when they are broken into simple parts.
 

As you complete the activities, you strengthen your thinking and organization skills. You practice identifying weaknesses, remembering key facts, and explaining how one problem led to another. Each task helps you build strong cause-and-effect reasoning.