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The Confederation

Chapter 5 Section 1. The Confederation. The Achievements of the Confederation Congress. In Nov. 1777, the Continental Congress adopted the Articles of Confederation and Perpetual Union a plan for a loose union of states under the authority of Congress Written by John Dickinson.

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The Confederation

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  1. Chapter 5 Section 1 The Confederation

  2. The Achievements of the Confederation Congress • In Nov. 1777, the Continental Congress adopted the Articles of Confederation and Perpetual Union • a plan for a loose union of states under the authority of Congress • Written by John Dickinson

  3. Articles of Confederation • Established a weak central government • gave more power to the state gov’ts • Once a year each state sent a delegate to the Confederation Congress • Could declare war, raise armies, and sign treaties • Could not impose taxes and regulate trade

  4. Western Policies • Only way the Conf. Congress could make money was to sell land west of the Appalachian Mountains • Land Ordinance of 1785=established a method for surveying western lands • Townships=six miles square • Divided into 36 sections=1 squared mile • Northwest Ordinance (1787) • Created new territory N. of Ohio River and E. of Mississippi River • Could eventually be divided into 3-5 states

  5. Northwest Territory

  6. Northwest Territory

  7. Northwest Territory

  8. Western Policies • Congress chose governor, a secretary, and three judges • 5,000 adult males=territorial legislature • Pop. reached 60,000=apply for statehood • Guaranteed certain rights • Freedom of religion • Property rights • Right to trial by jury • Free public education • No slavery in the Northwest Territory

  9. Success in Trade • After American Revolution, the British government imposed restrictions on American access to British markets • Force Congress to negotiate trade treaties w/ France, Holland, Prussia, and Sweden • By 1790, trade in the U.S. was ↑ than trade in the colonies before the Revolution

  10. Congress Falters • Problems With Trade • After Revolutionary War, inexpensive British goods flooded U.S. markets driving Americans out of business • American states fought back with duties • Weren’t all the same=British still imported goods into U.S. • States began establishing customs posts on state’s borders • Wanted to prevent British from exploiting different trade laws

  11. Congress Falters • Each state levied taxes on their own goods to raise money • Causes problems with trade • Each state was acting as their own country=threat to unity of U.S. • Problems With Diplomacy • Had problems with Britain and Spain • British Problems=British lenders couldn’t receive payment for loans before the A.R., Loyalist lands confiscated during A.R. weren’t returned=British upset

  12. Congress Falters • British wouldn’t leave American soil (occupied land near Great Lakes) • Spanish Problems=territory dispute b/w Georgia and Spanish territory, Spanish cutoff the use of the Mississippi River= closed river to farmers, couldn’t transport goods • Confederation Congress could do nothing=can’t regulate trade and impose taxes • Economic Crisis • End of the Revolutionary War and the restraining of economic activity by the British led to severe recession

  13. Congress Falters • Farmers most affected=had to borrow money to grow crops • Increased debt for the from the Revolutionary War left Congress and states in debt • Issued bonds to wealthy merchants and planters • Wanted them redeemed in gold and silver • States were encouraged to make paper money=help people payoff debt • Paper money wasn’t trusted=wasn’t backed by gold and silver • Cause inflation=decline in value of money • Lenders opposed this b/c they wouldn’t receive true amount they were owed

  14. Congress Falters • In 1785, 7 states issued paper money • Read pg. 161 second paragraph • People with property were upset=poor debt-ridden citizens controlled the gov’t • These citizens were even being elected to office

  15. Shay’s Rebellion • Erupted in Massachusetts in 1786 • Mass. raised taxes instead of issuing paper money • Taxes fell heavily on farmers=poor farmers in western part of state • Couldn’t pay taxes=loss of farm • Farmers in western Mass. Rebelled • Closed down county courthouses=prevented farm foreclosure • Marched on state supreme court • Daniel Shays= a former captain in the Continental Army and now a bankrupt farmer, emerged as one of the leaders of the rebellion

  16. Shay’s Rebellion • In January 1787, Shays and about 1,200 farmers headed to state arsenal • Wanted to seize weapons and planned to march on Boston • Governor sent 4,000 volunteers and Gen. Benjamin Lincoln to defend the arsenal • Shays attacked and the militia defended the arsenal • 4 farmers were killed the rest scattered • Next day Gen. Lincoln arrived and ended the rebellion

  17. Shay’s Rebellion

  18. Shay’s Rebellion

  19. A Call for Change • People with greater income and social status viewed the rebellion and inflation as signs that the republic was at risk • Feared stronger state gov’ts • Would take from them and give to poorer people • Many people began to argue for stronger central gov’t • Confederation failing to deal with rebellion, trade, and diplomacy led to a call for change

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