American Government / Unit 1 Gov 022 short lesson, about 20 seconds
The Articles of Confederation
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The idea
The Articles of Confederation were the United States' first governing framework, ratified in 1781, leaving nearly all power with the states.
In practice
The central government could act in few areas, like national defense; states governed themselves.
Where people slip
The weakness was deliberate — after a king, a weak center looked like safety.
Your place on the trail
Every lesson rests on earlier ones and opens later ones. Tap any to jump.
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