Articles to Constitution
Aligned to C3.D2.Civ.1 — C3 Framework for Social Studies State Standards.
What this lesson teaches
The Articles of Confederation created a weak central government that could not tax, regulate trade, or enforce laws. At the 1787 Constitutional Convention, delegates replaced it with the Constitution, reaching compromises to balance the interests of large and small states, North and South.
Worked example
The Great Compromise created a two-house Congress: the Senate gave each state equal representation, while the House was based on population. The Three-Fifths Compromise counted three of every five enslaved people for representation and taxation.
Practice questions
- Name two powers the national government lacked under the Articles of Confederation.
- Explain how the Great Compromise settled the dispute between large and small states.
- Analyze why compromises over representation and slavery were both necessary and troubling at the Convention.
Watch the lesson
Every lesson comes with a video taught in English and Spanish — the same video the QR code in the printed workbook opens.
▶ Watch this lessonEn español
De los Artículos a la Constitución
Los Artículos de la Confederación crearon un gobierno central débil que no podía cobrar impuestos, regular el comercio ni hacer cumplir las leyes. En la Convención Constitucional de 1787, los delegados los reemplazaron por la Constitución, alcanzando acuerdos para equilibrar los intereses de los estados grandes y pequeños, del Norte y del Sur.
Ejemplo: El Gran Compromiso creó un Congreso de dos cámaras: el Senado dio a cada estado representación igual, mientras que la Cámara se basó en la población. El Compromiso de los Tres Quintos contaba a tres de cada cinco personas esclavizadas para la representación y los impuestos.
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