Your Mission: Cartoon from Gulliver's Travels where king inspects tiny man with a spyglass
Library of Congress LC-USZ62-112480

Your commander, Lieutenant Major Reginald Brighton, wants a full report on what is happening in the United States. Specifically, he needs information on the Articles of Confederation, and he wants to know why a stronger government is necessary for the country to survive. In your confidential letter of at least two paragraphs, be sure to include the following elements:

A formal tone used for writing, as you are addressing your commander
A heading or title including a date and greeting to the commander (for example, "Confidential Letter, December 1786.")

First paragraph:

An explanation of the powers that Congress has under the Articles of Confederation
A list of the strengths of the new government under the Articles of Confederation
A list of the weaknesses of the new government under the Articles of Confederation
Examples of how people have reacted to the new government

Second paragraph:

An explanation of why a new, stronger government is necessary

If you do well, your commander may reward you with a promotion. After all, your mission is for the glory of Great Britain, which was humiliated by its defeat in the Revolutionary War. The commander is detail-oriented and will want as many facts as possible.

Click on the next tab, "Hints and Guidelines," for help with getting started on this assignment.

Hints:
You should review the information you learned about the Articles of Confederation.
Shays' Rebellion might interest the commander.
Think about the economic trouble in the states and how it affected different social classes.
Your explanation of why a stronger government is needed should be based on the conditions in the United States in 1786.

Guidelines:
Since your audience is a commanding officer, the tone of the letter should be respectful.
Your letter should include a thorough explanation of the Articles of Confederation: the powers it gives to Congress, the strengths and weaknesses it gives to the government, and how people have reacted to it.
Your letter should include an explanation of why a new, stronger government is necessary in order for the country to survive.
Your letter should include a heading or title including a date and greeting to the commander (for example, "Confidential Letter, December 1786.")
For information on how to write a convincing letter view the Persuasive Argument presentation.