The Articles of Confederation

1. The Articles of Confederation

2. Government of the 13 Independent States • Problem • State governments acted like separate countries • U.S. government was weak • Allowed the British to ignore the Treaty of Paris • No central government to tax, wage war or handle relationships with other nations • Solution • The Articles of Confederation

3. The Articles of Confederation • Republican government with a weak central government • America’s first constitution • Most powers went to the states • Adopted in November 1777 to help fight the Revolutionary War • Had it’s weaknesses but helped to win the War

4. What Congress Could Do Under the Articles of Confederation • Maintain an army and navy • Declare war and peace • Make treaties and alliances with other nations • Borrow money from states • Establish a post office • Regulate coinage • Manage affairs with Native Americans

5. What Congress could NOT do under the Articles of Confederation • Levy taxes on states • Prevent states from issuing their own money • Elect a president • Amend (change) the Articles without the consent of all 13 states • Require states to provide money for running the national government • Enforce a law in any state that did not accept the law

6. What was left up to the state? • Under the Articles of Confederation, the state had a lot of power. • set taxes • enforce national laws

7. The Articles of Confederation • Pros: • Won the United States its Independence • It expanded foreign trade • Cons: • Central government had very limited authority • To change the Articles, ALL 13 states had to agree • No provisions for adding state

8. Ratification • Ratification: act of official confirmation • The Continental Congress ratified the Articles of Confederation in November 1777. They then sent it to all the states for ratification. Although some states were hesitant eventually all 13 states ratified the Articles of Confederation.