Articles of ConfederationArticles of Confederation

Articles BackgroundArticles Background

11stst constitution for the colonies constitution for the colonies Confederation form of governmentConfederation form of government Colonies would remain separate and Colonies would remain separate and

independentindependent Banded together to form a cohesive Banded together to form a cohesive

defensedefense

Articles- provisionsArticles- provisions

Unicameral legislature- one houseUnicameral legislature- one house Each state sends delegates, but gets Each state sends delegates, but gets

only one vote per stateonly one vote per state States obligated to send funds to pay States obligated to send funds to pay

government officials and the militarygovernment officials and the military States obligated to send troops to States obligated to send troops to

man and maintain a central defenseman and maintain a central defense 9 state votes to pass any law9 state votes to pass any law

Articles- provisionsArticles- provisions

The authority of the executive and The authority of the executive and judicial branches would remain with judicial branches would remain with the individual statesthe individual states

Unanimous vote by the states was Unanimous vote by the states was necessary to amend the Articlesnecessary to amend the Articles

States set up trade agreements States set up trade agreements between the states and with foreign between the states and with foreign countriescountries

Accomplishments under ArticlesAccomplishments under Articles

Set up the Post Office (only Set up the Post Office (only government agency that is self-government agency that is self-supporting)supporting)

Created the post roadsCreated the post roads Created the Northwest Territory Act of Created the Northwest Territory Act of

1787 that allowed new states into the 1787 that allowed new states into the unionunion

Set up a system of weights and Set up a system of weights and measuresmeasures

The weaknesses of the Articles of Confederation.

United States of America

Articles of Confederation

Why did the Articles of Confederation fail?

I. Currency Issues

• The United States did not have a common currency.

• Americans carried money from the federal government, state government, and foreign nations.

• Merchants stopped accepting money from outside of their own state, causing a lot of money to become worthless.

• This caused an increase in inflation.

Why did the Articles of Confederation fail?

II. Debt

• Congress could not tax the people and depended on money from the states.

• Therefore, the U.S. was unable to pay its debts!

Examples:

- The U.S. owed money to France, Holland, and Spain for loans made during the Revolutionary War.

- The U.S. had not paid many of their own soldiers!

Why did the Articles of Confederation fail?

III. International and Domestic Problems

• The U.S. lacked the military power to defend itself against Great Britain and Spain.

• States acted as individual countries and seldom agreed.

Example: - Connecticut and Virginia almost went to war over land claims!

Why did the Articles of Confederation fail?

Courts (Judicial Branch)

• The nation lacked a national court system.

Supreme Court

Why did the Articles of Confederation fail?

President (Executive Branch)

• The nation did not have a President, or Chief Executive.

White House

Why did the Articles of Confederation fail?

Congress (Legislative Branch)

• Laws were difficult to pass, needing the approval of nine states.

• Congress was responsible to the states, not the people.

• Congress had no power to collect taxes, regulate trade, coin money, or establish a military.

• Congress had one house. (unicameral)

Results of the ArticlesResults of the Articles

States dispute bordersStates dispute borders States levied heavy taxes on States levied heavy taxes on

themselves to pay for war- did not themselves to pay for war- did not send money to national governmentsend money to national government

States created own currencies States created own currencies States levied tariffs on each others States levied tariffs on each others

goodsgoods States refused to acknowledge any States refused to acknowledge any

national law they did not likenational law they did not like

Results of the ArticlesResults of the Articles

Shay’s Rebellion- Massachusetts Shay’s Rebellion- Massachusetts farmers rebel against foreclosures on farmers rebel against foreclosures on property.property.

Leaders of states convinced that Leaders of states convinced that more rebellion was likely without a more rebellion was likely without a stronger central authoritystronger central authority

Led to the Annapolis Conference.Led to the Annapolis Conference.

Annapolis ConferenceAnnapolis Conference

The conference was called to discuss The conference was called to discuss how to fix the government to avoid how to fix the government to avoid another revolutionanother revolution States were in debtStates were in debt Taxes to high- Shay’s RebellionTaxes to high- Shay’s Rebellion Interstate commerce a messInterstate commerce a mess Foreign trade problemsForeign trade problems