How bad was it under the Articles of Confederation?

“The Eastern States . . . exhibit a melancholy proof of what our trans-Atlantic foe has predicted; and of another thing perhaps, which is still more to be regretted, and is yet more unaccountable, that mankind when left to themselves are unfit for their own Government. I am mortified beyond expression when I view the clouds that have spread over the brightest morn that ever dawned upon any Country,”

--George Washington to Henry Lee, October 31, 1786

Articles of Confederation

Created a weak central Government

Led to too much democracy; “mobocracy”

What are the problems caused by:

One House Congress?

9-4 vote to pass legislation?

Unanimous vote to amend the articles?

No national court system?

No regulation of interstate trade?

No power to tax directly?

One Success of the Confederation GovernmentNorthwest Ordinances

Jay on Spanish-American Diplomacy1. What political advantages would be provided to the

U.S. by signing this treaty with Spain?2. What commercial advantages?3. What do #1 and #3 say about trade?4. What does Jay say we will give up?5. According to Jay, why should the U.S. sign the treaty?6. What part of the country would be opposed to the

Treaty? Why?7. What part of the country would be in favor of the

Treaty? Why?

Carmathan to AdamsWhat does America need to do in order for Britain to

remove its military from North America?

Foreign Policy

Problems•Limited by state sovereignty and those who believed in anti-involvement

•In reality there were 13 separate entities

•Extremely difficult to even approve the Treaty of Paris

•“The “dis-United States of America” could not, and in fact did not, command respect abroad.”—Thomas Bailey

•Many Europeans felt Americans wore feathers and war paint--savages

•Why did France, Spain and England want the American experiment to fail?

•What were the sources of direct tensions between America and Britain? HINT: Loyalists

Carmathan to Adams on Northwestern Forts

Americans wanted to continue to trade with Great Britain.

England refused! Why?

Depression of 1784-85Great Britain dumped low priced goods

in America which led to unemployment

This was because American manufacturing couldn’t compete

Barbary Pirates

1787 agreed to pay Morocco, upset the others

Algiers threatened to declare war which pleased Secretary of State John Jay:

“This war does not strike me as a great evil. The more we are ill-treated abroad the more we shall unite and consolidate at home.”

Weak foreign policy aroused public opinion

Especially upset the merchants. WHY?

Combined with Shays Rebellion, forced the leaders to change the Articles