Articles of Confederation 1781-1789

1. Articles of Confederation 1781-1789

2. The United States in 1787

3. Occupational Composition of Several State Assemblies in the 1780s

4. Weaknesses of theArticles of Confederation • A unicameral* Congress [9 of 13 votes to pass a law]. • 13 out of 13 to amend. • Representatives were frequently absent. • Could not tax or raise armies. • No executive or judicial branches. • *One legislative body

5. Why were the Articles of Confederation so weak?

6. What were the Problems? • Since the federal government could not tax, it was very difficult to raise money • Since states didn’t have to follow laws and treaties, the federal government had no assurance that individual states would follow them • Each state had its own laws, which made it difficult for the country to act in a united way. Congress couldn’t pay back debts from the revolution and couldn’t get states to work together to encourage commerce.

7. What were the Problems? • Since there was no executive branch, the government could not defend its borders. • Since there was no executive branch and national court system, the government could not enforce its laws • Any amendment required all 13 states’ approval, so the AoC was very difficult to modify

8. Northwest Ordinance of 1787 • A major accomplishment of the Confederation Congress • Important provisions: • 1. Laid out a way for states to enter the union • 2. Each state had equal footing with original states • 3. No slavery allowed in any state in the region

9. Shays’ Rebellion: 1786-7 • Western MA. Small farmers angered by crushing debts and taxes. • Crushed by Mass. Militia • Congress unable to send $ • Wealthy donate $ to militia to put down the rebellion. Wealthy not so happy w/Congress