What Does This Mean?

1. What Does This Mean? “…it has been said that democracy is the worst form of government except for all those other forms that have been tried from time to time.”

2. Articles of Confederation First Constitution of the United States

3. June 12, 1776 Committee of 13 set up by Second Continental Congress Purpose: Draft a constitution to secure freedom, sovereignty and independence Written primarily by John Dickinson of Delaware “Confederation of the United States of America”

4. Writing of Articles of Confederation Initially Dickinson wanted national government to be able to: Control western lands disputes Ensure equal representation for the states Levy taxes

5. Articles of Confederation States feared powerful central government States given as much independence as possible Limited powers of central government

6. Articles of Confederation Contained: Preamble 13 articles Conclusion Signature areas First Constitution of the United States March 1, 1781 to June 21, 1788

7. Articles of Confederation • Provided a blanket acceptance for Canada to become part of the United States • Congressional representation based on population of a state • Each state had one vote in Congress

8. Problems with Ratification It took almost 5 years to ratify Control of western land debate Created loose confederation of independent states Limited powers to the central government

9. Weaknesses of Articles: Weak National Government • Request donations from the states to raise armed forces and control western territories • Judicial was in each state and honored by each other • Only judicial power Congress had was to mediate between states • Donations by states based on value of land • Any amendment to the Articles of Confederation required all states to approve it

10. Congress elected by the state legislatures Laws difficult to pass (approval 9 out of 13 states required) Congress given no power to collect taxes Congress given no power to regulate trade Congress given no power to coin money Congress given no power to establish armed forces—each state had its own troops No president or executive branch No system of national courts Weaknesses of the Articles of Confederation States given most powers; few powers given to the national government

11. Weaknesses: States Controlled Most of Power • Central government did not have sufficient authority • States could refuse to give the government the money • States had tax and trade wars between each other • Government could not pay off debts from the American Revolution or pay the soldiers who fought in it or people who gave supplies

12. Illustration of Weaknesses • Shay’s Rebellion • Uprising in western Massachusetts in 1786 and 1787 by poor farmers led by Daniel Shay • Causes: taxes on land, legal costs • Economic depression after the Revolutionary War • Weak federal government could not raise an army to assist

13. Shay’s Rebellion • Demands: • Laws to protect farmers • Dissolving the court of common appeals • Reduction of taxes • Shay and his men marched into Springfield, Massachusetts to seize a federal arsenal • Militia under General Benjamin Lincoln stopped them • Most of the men were pardoned a year later • Forced political leaders to make laws that could effectively govern the nation

14. Barbary Pirates Late 1700s nations paid tribute to the pirates of North Africa to ensure merchant shipping without attacks Pirates had been in area since the Crusades: attacked ports, captured people for slavery and looted merchant ships

15. Barbary Pirates European nations worked out treaties with Arab rulers who sponsored pirates Morocco, Algeria, Tunis and Tripoli March 1786 Thomas Jefferson, ambassador to France and John Adams, ambassador to Great Britain met with ruler in Tripoli to settle the issue

16. Barbary Pirates U.S. paid tribute until 1800 to free captured Americans First Barbary War 1801-1805: Navy ship Philadelphia sent to Tripoli and was captured LT Stephen Decatur sailed into Tripoli on a captured ship to recapture Philadelphia and succeeded CO of Philadelphia, CAPT William Bainbridge rescued

17. Barbary Pirates 1805: To the Shores of Tripoli Navy and Marines under LT Presley O’Bannon Battle of Derna Attacked Tripoli captured the fort New ruler presented O’Bannon with a “Marmaluke” sword, which is named after African warriors Sword used with the Marine Dress Uniform is similar Treaty signed 1806

18. Marine Dress Sword

19. Barbary Pirates Second Barbary War 1815 Between U.S. and Algiers Stephen Decatur and William Bainbridge sent a fleet of 10 vessels and captured Algerian ships Algerian ruler signed a treaty Helped U.S. with identity on the international level and supported a need for a strong navy, army and national government

20. Result of Articles of Confederation Failures • February 21, 1787, Congress called for a Constitutional Convention to revise the articles • Between May and September, 1787, the convention wrote the Constitution of the United States, which retained some features of the Articles, but the major difference was a strong central government with 3 branches, including a Congress with two houses • Constitution was ratified on September 17, 1787