ARTICLES OF CONFEDERATION

Articles of Confederation• First U.S. Constitution. Ratified

(approved) during American Revolution.

• A loose association of states.

Confederation Congress• Would be the central National

government.

• It was a law making body where each state had 1 vote.

• Decisions required 9 of the 13 states to vote yes.

Powers of the Confederation Congress

• Because of the experiences with the British government, the new government was formed with limited powers.

Powers of the Confederation Congress

• Make treaties with other countries and Indians.

• Could ask (not require) states for money.

• Make (print) money.

Treaty of Paris

Powers of the Confederation Congress

• Could settle disputes between states.

• Could ask for (not require) soldiers from the states.

Powers Denied To The Government

• No executive branch.

• No court system.

Powers Denied Congress

• Could not prevent states from issuing its own money.

• Could not raise taxes

Northwest Ordinance of 1787• Created an orderly system to admit new

states.

• Created the Northwest Territory.

Problems Under The Articles of Confederation

Foreign Relations-

• France: Wanted loans repaid.

• Britain: Closed ports to U.S. ships.

• Spain: Closed the lower Mississippi River to U.S. Shipping.

Problems Under The Articles of Confederation

Economic Unrest-

• Shay’s Rebellion: Protest by farmers over losing property because they got no help from the government.

• Congress had no way of dealing with this.

• Showed the Articles were not working and that a stronger government was needed.

Convention of 1787

• In 1787, Congress called for a convention to revise (update) the Articles of Confederation.

• Once the convention started, the Articles of Confederation were thrown out and an new constitution was written.