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CLSM · Civic Literacy · Progress Check 2
Articles of Confederation
Read the situation. Connect the ideas. Show how you know.
Name ___________________________Class __________ Date __________
01 Recall, then make a connection.
confederation
requisition
unanimity
How could a confederation’s reliance on a requisition complicate funding? Explain why a unanimity rule could protect member states while also making a proposed change difficult.
Read the situation.
The Articles of Confederation created a union of states that retained substantial sovereignty. Congress could handle important national matters, including war and diplomacy, but its tools were limited. It depended on state contributions rather than a direct national taxing power, and it lacked a general power to regulate interstate commerce. Each state had one vote in Congress. These choices reflected fears of concentrated power after the struggle against Britain.
02 Organize the information.
One rule, one missing approval
A fictional amendment to the Articles has approval from 12 of the 13 states. The Articles require every state to approve an amendment.
How many additional state approvals are needed?
Answer: __________________ state approval
Show the calculation, then explain what the result tells you in this model.
CLSM · Civic Literacy · Progress Check 2
What does the evidence show?
Articles of Confederation
03 Follow the evidence.
Protective rule or obstacle?
The repair desk asks for a balanced explanation of the unanimous amendment rule.
Select every statement the rule supports.
No state could have the Articles amended over its objection under the stated rule.
One state’s refusal could block an amendment supported by the other twelve.
Unanimity guaranteed that every individual resident agreed with an amendment.
Unanimity gave Congress unlimited power to tax people directly.
Name the useful records and explain how they answer the claim.
04 Apply the idea.
The treasury has requests, not receipts
In a simplified fictional case, Congress requests money from the states for a national obligation. Several states delay their contributions. Congress cannot directly impose a national tax under the Articles.
Which structural problem best explains the shortfall?
The national government depends on state contributions rather than a direct national taxing power.
The Articles require the president to veto every request for money.
Every state has agreed to pay, so collection is automatic.
Choose a conclusion and explain why it fits the situation.
05 Carry the idea forward.
Choose one repair-desk problem and write a cause-and-response explanation. Identify the Articles’ design choice, its practical consequence, the Constitution’s response, and one reason stronger power still needed limits.