The Articles of Confederation

1. The Articles of Confederation

2. State Constitutions • During the Revolutionary War, all states created their own constitutions, usually with a bicameral legislature, an executive (governor), and courts. • Massachusetts’ constitution distributed power more evenly among the three branches of government than most others did.

3. The Need For Something Bigger • But thirteen small states knew they would be too weak to stand up against powerful nations like Great Britain. • They recognized that they would need some way to act as one when circumstances demanded it. • Their answer was the Articles of Confederation.

4. The Articles of Confederation • The Articles were written in 1777 by John Dickinson, a Penn. statesman • The Articles were accepted by Congress in 1781 and is considered the first national constitution

5. The Articles of Confederation • The fear of having too much power in one person’s hands reflects the experiences the colonies had under a monarchy • In the Articles the state governments limit the power of the national Congress

6. 1The Articles of Confederation • During the Revolution, the new United States needed a functioning government • Modeled after colonial governments • States would retain sovereignty • Founders were fearful of concentrated power due to past experience with the British

7. 2 A Limited Government Articles established a “firm league of friendship” among the states Bills were passed on nine of thirteen votes Amending the Articles took unanimous consent of the states

8. 3 Structure of Government Unicameral (single house) legislative body Each state had one vote regardless of population size Congress given sole authority to govern the country An executive committee oversaw government when Congress was not in session Congress would establish temporary courts to hear disputes among the states

10. 4 Powers Granted to Government under the Articles of Confederation • Declare war and make peace • Make treaties with foreign countries • Establish an army and navy • Appoint high-ranking military officials • Requisition, print, and borrow money • Establish weights and measures • Hear disputes among the states related to trade or boundaries

11. 5 Powers Denied to Government • No power to raise funds for an army or navy • No power to tax, impose tariffs, or collect duties • No executive branch to enforce laws • No power to control trade among the states • No power to force states to honor obligations • No power to regulate the value of currency

12. Weaknesses of the Articles of Confederation • Congress had no power to raise taxes • Congress had no power regulate foreign or state trade • Laws had to be approved by 9 out of 13 states • Congress did not have the power to enforce laws • Lack of a central power: no single group or person directed govt policy • No national court system • The Articles could not be changed without the agreement of all 13 states

13. Accomplishments under the Articles of Confederation • The Treaty of Paris 1783 was signed • The Northwest Ordinance was passed

14. Articles of Confederation: Settling Western Lands • The Land Ordinance of 1785, stated that land in the west was to be surveyed using a grid system to establish 6 mile blocks • The Northwest Ordinance assisted in the orderly expansion of the United States, it outlined a plan for applying for statehood to western territories • 5,000 free males who own 50 acres can start govt • Population of 60,000 could become a state

15. Settling Western lands • The Northwest Ordinance promised • no slavery • education • freedom of religion • trial by jury

16. Northwest Territory • The Northwest Territory was east of the Mississippi River and north of the Ohio River. The states of Ohio, Indiana, Illinois, Michigan, and Wisconsin would be formed from this area.

17. Reasons for Shay’s Rebellion • Farmers are required to pay debts in gold, they have no money because they were not paid during the war • Many, like Daniel Shays, felt they should not lose their homes for a debt they did not create • Wealthy lawmakers invested their money in the war too. And seek to get money from the farmers debts

18. Shays’s Rebellion • Poor farmers are not represented in the Mass legislature and cannot pass debt relief laws • The rebellion will free debtors from prisons and close courts that are hearing cases against farmers

19. Shays’s Rebellion • The Mass militia is called out to stop it • Poor farmers in 1791 elect officials who support their stance and will close courthouses and demand financial help from the Congress • Shays’s Rebellion will prompt national leaders to create a stonger central government

20. Samuel Adams Said What?! • “Rebellion against a king may be pardoned, or lightly punished, but the man who dares to rebel against the laws of a republic ought to suffer death”

21. Views about Shays’s Rebellion • Adams will also write a law called the Riot Act, which prohibits 12 people or more from meeting and gives the government the power to shoot rioters! • Samuel sure has changed since 1776!

22. Thomas Jefferson Said What?! • "A little rebellion now and then is a good thing. It is a medicine necessary for the sound health of government. God forbid that we should ever be twenty years without such a rebellion."

23. 6 Problems Facing the New Nation Trade with foreign nations Financing the nation Foreign relations Interstate relations A 1783 cartoon satirizing relations between Britain and America

24. 7 Problems Facing the New Nation: You Decide • Trade with foreign nations • Financing the nation • Foreign relations • Interstate relations • Paying for a military • Carrying out common laws & programs

25. 8 Problems with Trade • U.S. no longer the favorite trading partner of Great Britain • U.S. exports to British ports had to be on British ships • Many U.S.-produced goods were barred from British ports • Britain sent vast amounts of cheap goods to U.S. • Potential Remedy • Establish a tariff on British goods • Weakness in Articles of Confederation preventing this solution