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Articles of Confederation Chapter 5 Section 1

Learn how the state constitutions reflected republican ideals. Explore the powers of the national government under the Articles of Confederation. Understand the weaknesses of the Articles and the settlement of western lands by Congress.

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Articles of Confederation Chapter 5 Section 1

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  1. Articles of ConfederationChapter 5 Section 1

  2. Objectives • Explain how the states’ new constitutions reflected republican ideals. • Describe the structure and powers of the national government under the Articles of Confederation. • Summarize the Congress’s plan for the settlement and governance of western lands. • List the main weaknesses of the Articles.

  3. State Constitutions • Although state constitutions varied, each provided for a republic in which people voted for their representatives. • Patriots disagreed over the design of these republics, especially over how much power to give the common people.

  4. Democratic Patriots • They favored: • Weak state governments with most of their powers in a popularly elected legislature • Unicameral legislature, or one having single house, with either a weak governor or no governor at all • A large House of Representatives with small districts so that the people had more control

  5. Conservatives • They favored: • A governor with broad powers • Bicameral legislature, with two houses • An upper house or senate made up of wealthy, well-educated gentlemen who would balance a lower house elected by the common people

  6. Debate Over Voting Rights • Democratic states like Pennsylvania allowed allmale taxpayers over age 21 to vote. • Conservative statesrequired property ownership for voting. • None of the states gave the vote to women or to slaves.

  7. All men shall be free to profess, and by argument to maintain, their opinions in matters of Religion. Most new state constitutions guaranteed freedom of religion. • Previously, colonies collected taxes for religious institutions. • Now, religious freedom and pluralism became the norm. • The Virginia Statute for Religious Freedom, written by Thomas Jefferson set the example. It allowed for religious liberty free of state influence. —Thomas Jefferson Virginia Statute for Religious Freedom, 1786

  8. This first national constitution created a loose confederation, or league of states, in 1777. • Congress drafted the Articles of Confederation under the leadership of John Dickinson of Pennsylvania. • Congress’s power was limited to prevent the problems experienced under Britain. The Articles of Confederationwas created by the Continental Congress.

  9. Limits of the Articles • Congress implemented and enforced laws. • Executive power was shared, no one leader. • One state = one vote in Congress. • Major issues, like declaring war, required nine states. • Amendments (Changes) required the agreement of all 13 states.

  10. There was also no federal court system.

  11. The Articles created a method to settle and govern the Northwest Territory.

  12. Surveyors divided the territory into a grid of lines north to south and east to west, establishing hundreds of townships. • Each township was subdivided into sections of one square mile (640 acre), to sell at $1 each. The Land Ordinance of 1785 established a method to distribute public land.

  13. The Northwest Ordinance of 1787set up a system to govern territories and create states.

  14. Barred slavery • Required a republican constitution • Promised settlers basic freedoms • Ignored the rights of Native Americans • Resulted in five new states: Ohio, Indiana, Illinois, Michigan, Wisconsin, and part of Minnesota The Northwest Ordinance

  15. Disrespected • Britain kept soldiers in frontier forts located in the Northwest Territory. • Spain forbade American trade with New Orleans. • Britain kept soldiers in frontier forts located in the Northwest Territory.

  16. The nation’s debtwas mounting. • The economic depression was deepening as debts, bankruptcies, and foreclosures grew. Growing problems led to calls for a revision of the Articles of Confederation.

  17. Shays’ Rebellion demonstrated the weakness of the national government. In 1787, Daniel Shays led about 1,000 farmers in a raid on a federal arsenal in Massachusetts to protest taxes and farm foreclosures. The revolt failed, but many people saw the unrest as a sign that a stronger central government was needed.

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