Articles of Confederation

January 6, 2014

January 1776• New Hampshire 1st colony to

organize as a STATE– Create state Constitution

• Constitution: detailed, written planEach state gov’t similar 1. Legislature: create laws• Bicameral: 2 houses2. 1 Governor for each state• Carry out the laws3. Judges/ courts• Decide if laws fair/ what laws mean

Each state had:

1. Trial by jury

2. Protection of Personal Property

But…One thing can’t do:• Create a LARGE army• 13 small armies would be no match for the

British

May 1776: 2nd Continental Congress• Goal: create a UNION of states• Create the Articles of Confederation

– 1st Constitution of the U.S.• Confederation: group of individual state

gov’ts that BOND together (cooperate)

1781: All 13 states ratify• Ratify: APPROVEArticles of Confederation• 1 house Legislature

– Each state gets 1 vote

Only Government can deal with:1. Army2. Deal with foreign countriesBut…Government cannot:1. Enforce laws2. Tax (can only ask, no demand)• Government cannot ask states to

do anything

Weakness of Articles of Confederation

January 13, 2014

Weakness of Articles of Confederation1. No pass law without 9 of 13 states agree2. To Amend (change) articles

• Need all 13 states3. No enforce laws4. No single leader5. No court system6. No tax• 1783: U.S. wins Revolutionary War

against England– Treaty of Paris ends war

• Major Problem: DEBT HIGH• Government cannot TAX

• States increase taxes– Tax goods from other states– Farmers can’t pay for property– Leads to Resentment

• 1786-1787: riots break out• Fear gov’t no protect safety

Daniel Shays (Shays’ Rebellion)• Farmer from Massachusetts• State threaten to take farm• Gather 1,200 farmers & riot• Wake-up Call: NEED stronger

gov’t• 1787: 12 states send delegates to

Philadelphia to REVISE Articles

American Revolution• Few people live west of

Appalachian Mountains• By 1790s: 120,000 people• Government works to survey

(measure) land & sell• Creates 6 square mile townships• Each township broken up to 36

sections of 1 square mile each• PROBLEM: How to govern area• Northwest Ordinance created to

govern– No Slavery

Constitutional Convention

January 28, 2014

• 1787: Constitutional Convention• Rhode Island only state that didn’t

send delegates– Don’t want strong national gov’t

• May 25, 1787: Meet in Independence Hall, Philadelphia– Bad weather

Delegates• 55 men• Well educated• Lawyers, doctors, merchants, college

presidents, generals, governors • 8 signed Declaration of

Independence• 7 were governors• 41 member of Continental Congress

• NO– African Americans– Native Americans – Women

• Ben Franklin oldest (81)• Famous writer, inventor,

scientist• George Washington &

James Madison become U.S. Presidents

• Thomas Jefferson & John Adams in EUROPE

• Patrick Henry against/ no go

• Chose George Washington to preside over Constitutional Convention

– Leadership during American Revolution

1. Each state get 1 vote

– No matter how many delegates

2. Majority decides (7 votes)

3. Held in SECRET

– No one knows; no records

• James Madison notebook only source of information

• GOAL: REVISE Articles

• But…end up writing NEW CONSTITUTION