The Articles of Confederation

1. J.A.SACCO The Articles of Confederation

2. The End of the American Revolution? • “The American Revolution is only the first act of the play”

3. What was the “true” Revolution? • Who Should Lead? All citizens an equal voice/public office open to all. (small farmers, laborers, artisans) Need strong men of ability/ Experience to lead the new republic (businessmen, planters)

4. Republican Ideology? • Republicanism: political leaders receive authority to make and enforce laws from the public who vote/must be controlled by the people or freedom and liberty is in danger • Protect the rights of all/ Rule by minority • Reject monarchy/hierarchical authority • During the Revolutionary War most states wrote their own Constitutions • Society based on virtue/factions must be avoided • Depends on people doing the best thing for all the people (Locke)- if this breaks down the republic is in peril

5. Theory of “republican” government • Essentials of a “republican” government Hold gov’t officials closely accountable Limit the powers of government with written constitutions

6. Theory of “republican” government • Written Constitutions needed! • Sovereignty with people where their ideas are embodied in a written constitution • Gov’ts function within clear constitutional limits

7. Theory of “republican” Government • Holding Government officials accountable! • Power given to people embodied in state governments • Power of state governors limited • State governments divided into three branches • Bill of Rights included in state constitutions • New national government would be weak with limited powers • Land requirement ends- to vote hold public office/only have to pay tax • Jefferson’s “Va. Statute for Religious Freedom” (no official church/non-tax supported church)

8. The Articles of Confederation • Led by John Dickinson, with the help of Benjamin Franklin, a committee drafted a plan for a “loose” union • Document that creates an association of states while guaranteeing each state its “sovereignty, freedom and independence” • States have control of the Power!

9. The Articles of Confederation • Reflects the worries/experiences of colonies under British rule. • To ensure republican ideology created in the state constitutions, must limit the power of the national government

10. The Articles of Confederation • Established 13 colonies united in a league of independent states • A national congress called the Confederation Congress to make laws for the good of the nation. • Each state given one vote in Confederation Congress

11. Powers Of the Confederation Congress • Declare War • Make treaties • Regulate currency • Borrow money • Establish a postal system • Manage Indian affairs • Settle disputes between states

12. Successes of the Articles of Confederation • Led the nation throughout the American Revolution- served as a government • Negotiated the Treaty of Paris • Negotiated trade treaties with France, Prussia, Holland, Sweden, and Morocco and borrowed money from Holland • Negotiated a mutual defense treaty with France. • Kept the nation out of war

13. Successes of the Articles of Confederation • Ratification • Need all 13 states to put Articles into power, but first must pay off war debt. All 13 states must pay their share. • Problem: • Solution:

14. Successes of the Articles of Confederation • Land Ordinance of 1785 • Northwest Ordinance of 1787 Define each!

15. Land Ordinance of 1785 • Land Ordinance of 1785: divided western land into townships (6mi. Sq.), eventually sold at a dollar an acre, reserved one section for public schools

16. Land Ordinance of 1785

17. NW Ordinanance of 1787-Steps to Statehood • Territories have a governor appointed by Congress • When a territory has 5,000 eligible voters they can send a nonvoting member to Congress • Once a territory has 60,000 free inhabitants it is eligible for statehood and can draft a constitution • Congress approves the constitution and the territory becomes a state • Freedom of speech, religion, trial by jury, prohibited slavery, encourage public education

18. Northwest Ordinance of 1787

19. The United States in 1787