The United States wasn’t always governed by the Constitution we know today. In fact, the nation’s first attempt at government—the Articles of Confederation—was a system that struggled to hold the young country together. So how did the Founding Fathers create a stronger government while balancing power between the states and federal authority? And how has the Constitution shaped how life is like in America today? 

In this episode of The American Government Curriculum Companion, we explore the weaknesses of the Articles of Confederation and the events that led to the Constitutional Convention of 1787. We’ll break down the key debates between large and small states, examine the Virginia and New Jersey Plans, and discuss the Great Compromise and the Three-Fifths Compromise. Finally, we’ll take a closer look at the structure of the U.S. Constitution itself—its guiding principles, the separation of powers, and the framework that continues to govern the country today.

This episode is designed to accompany our unit plan on America's Constitution for our complete Civics and American Government Curriculum, which includes resources and lessons designed for middle school and high school classrooms.

Students of History provides engaging lessons and resources for every unit in Civics & Government, along with US History, World History, and World Geography. You can learn more at StudentsofHistory.com.