From Pizza to Politics: Understanding the Articles of Confederation

Miacademy & MiaPrep Learning Channel

This educational video provides a comprehensive overview of the Articles of Confederation, the first governing document of the United States. Through an accessible analogy involving friends trying to order pizza with limited funds, the narrator explains the core tension between "public good" and "individual will" that shaped the early American government. The video breaks down the philosophical roots of the Articles, including Classical Liberalism and the influence of Enlightenment thinkers like Adam Smith and Baruch Spinoza. The content offers a detailed examination of the structural components of the Articles of Confederation, describing the unicameral legislature and the high thresholds required for passing laws (9/13 votes) or amendments (13/13 votes). It clearly delineates the specific powers granted to the national government, such as declaring war and managing foreign relations, while highlighting the critical weaknesses that ultimately led to its failure—specifically the inability to tax, enforce laws, or regulate a unified currency. For educators, this resource serves as an excellent bridge between abstract political theory and historical reality. The use of the "pizza problem" metaphor makes the concept of competing interests tangible for students. The video is particularly useful for units on the foundations of American government, the Critical Period following the Revolutionary War, and the events leading up to the Constitutional Convention. It provides clear definitions of complex vocabulary like "specie," "unicameral," and "social contract."