The Articles of Confederation What I should know…

1. The Articles of ConfederationWhat I should know… • Describe the early government of the United States. • What were some reasons for opposition to the articles of confederation? • What were the causes and effects of shays’ rebellion?

8. The new nation • In the years following the Revolution, Americans thought of themselves as citizens of individual states, not of a common nation. The United States was not a nation as much as it was a confederation, an alliance of separate governments that work together. • State governments had more power than the national government. Individual state constitutions were important during this period. A constitution is a plan of government that describes the different parts of the government and their duties and powers. • In 1777, the Continental Congress adopted a set of laws to govern the United States. These laws were called the Articles of Confederation. Approved in 1781, the Articles established a limited national government, in which most of the power lay with the states. Articles of Confederation

9. The Articles of Confederation Consisted of only one branch of government: the legislative branch, or Congress. Congress carried out the duties of both the legislative and executive branches. No national court system existed. Congress could declare war and borrow money, but lacked the power to tax.

10. Under the Articles of Confederation, the states had most of the power while the national government was weak.

11. The Nationalists • By the 1780’s an influential group called “The Nationalist” wanted to strengthen the federal government. • The nationalist included: former military officers, congressmen, planters & lawyers. George Washington Benjamin Franklin James Madison Alexander Hamilton

12. The Nationalist concerns with the Articles • The Federal Government is too weak under the Articles. • Lack of a national court system & no economic policies = chaos • The US Government wouldn’t command respect from other national governments. • American citizens challenge to authority & demand of individual freedoms was getting out of hand.

13. The Nationalists battle cry • “Look at what happened to Rome”… • America must do it right “ America is the example for the rest of the world.”

14. Shays Rebellion.. giving the Nationalist support. The Causes: • The wealthy loaned states $ to fight the revolution. • After the war wealthy lenders demanded payment. • To get payment they forced state government to raise taxes - $ to repay loans. • In Massachusetts, the state raised taxes only to be paid in gold and silver which was more scare and valuable than paper $. • Farmers in the West were hardest hit by the taxes & after complaining to the deaf ear of the legislature they revolted. “this is taxation without representation”

15. The Farmers Drive off the tax collectors The farmers complain to the state legislature to: • Take back the taxes • The legislature refused • The courts seized their possessions So the Farmers…

16. The Revolt The farmers: • Drove off the tax collectors • Forced the courts to close • Rioted • Marched to the gun depot in Springfield. Congress was helpless

17. The Effects Of Shays Rebellion Realizing they were helpless in restoring order- • No army • No aid to the states Congressional leaders decided to meet in Philadelphia to fix the articles and strengthen the federal government. Shays Rebellion