The Critical Period: Weaknesses and Reforms Leading to Stronger Government

1. The Critical Period (Chapter 2, Section 3)

2. The Articles of Confederation • Congress debated for 17 months on how to unite the former colonies (now states) • Approved on November 15, 1777 but not enacted until March 1, 1781 • Established a “firm league of friendship” among the states – Is this really effective? Why or why not? – Each state kept its own powers • The states would come together for their common defense and mutual welfare

3. The Articles of Confederation • Ratification (formal approval) was needed by the states • 11 out of 13 states ratified it within one year • Delaware approved it in February of 1779 • Maryland approved it on March 1, 1781, and the Second Continental Congress declared the Articles effective on that date

4. Weaknesses of the Articles • Only a “firm league of friendship” among states • Only one vote for each State, regardless of size • Congress could make war and peace, send and receive ambassadors, make treaties, borrow money, establish post offices • Congress powerless to levy taxes • Congress powerless to regulate commerce/trade • No executive power to enforce acts of Congress • No national court system • Amendments require the consent of ALL states, not just a majority • A 9/13 majority was required to pass laws • States had a lot of power and were primarily responsible for protecting life and property and for promoting the safety and happiness of the people

5. The Critical Period • States argued amongst themselves, and there was no central government to mediate • States started refusing to support the weak central government, and some states went so far as to make agreements with foreign countries without the approval of Congress • Most states organized their own military forces • States taxed one another’s goods and banned some trade • States printed their own money • Prices increased, debts skyrocketed, violence broke out

6. The Critical Period • Western Massachusetts – Shays’ Rebellion • As economic conditions worsened, property holders (small farmers) began to lose their land and possessions due to non-payment of taxes and other debt • Fall of 1786, Daniel Shays led an armed uprising that forced many State judges to close their courts • The rebellion was hard to put down because there was not a strong central government • Massachusetts Legislature eventually passed laws to ease the burden of debtors

7. A Need for Stronger Government • Under the Articles, the government was unable to deal with the nation’s troubles • Mount Vernon – Maryland and Virginia took 1st step towards change • The two states agreed to resolve conflicts over commerce and navigation on the Potomac River and Chesapeake Bay • Representatives from each of the two states met at George Washington’s home (Mount Vernon) • The meeting was successful and the Virginia General Assembly called for “a joint meeting of the States to consider and recommend a federal plan for regulating commerce.”

8. A Need for Stronger Government • Annapolis – Representatives from only 5 states: New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Delaware, and Virginia • Alexander Hamilton (New York) and James Madison (Virginia) persuaded those in attendance to call for another meeting of the States • Min-February of 1787, Seven States named delegates to the meeting in Philadelphia • The Philadelphia Meeting became known as the Constitutional Convention • Originally meant to redesign the Articles of Confederation but evolved into a meeting to create an entirely new kind of Government for the United States of America