The Articles of The Articles of ConfederationConfederation

Early InfluencesEarly Influences Magna Carta (1215) = first attempt to

limit the power of the monarch Petition of Right (1628) = challenged

the idea of divine right English king was not above the law

English Bill of Rights (1689) = established a limited constitutional monarchy– king could not rule w/o the consent of Parliament. Rights and liberties of the individual are

protected.

The Articles of The Articles of ConfederationConfederation

The Articles were The Articles were written in 1777 by written in 1777 by John Dickinson, a John Dickinson, a Penn. statesman Penn. statesman

The Articles were The Articles were accepted by Congress accepted by Congress in 1781 and is in 1781 and is considered the first considered the first national constitutionnational constitution

The Articles of The Articles of ConfederationConfederation

The fear of having too The fear of having too much power in one much power in one person’s hands reflects person’s hands reflects the experiences the the experiences the colonies had under a colonies had under a monarchy monarchy

In the Articles the state In the Articles the state governments limit the governments limit the power of the national power of the national CongressCongress

Weaknesses of the Weaknesses of the Articles of ConfederationArticles of Confederation

Congress had:Congress had:no power to raise taxesno power to raise taxesno power regulate foreign or interstate no power regulate foreign or interstate

tradetradeNo standing army or navyNo standing army or navyCongress did not have the power to Congress did not have the power to

enforce lawsenforce laws 9/13 for approval 9/13 for approvalStates could print own moneyStates could print own money

Strengths of the Articles Strengths of the Articles of Confederationof Confederation

Declare war and peaceDeclare war and peacePrint/coin money Print/coin money Make treaties Make treaties Settle disputes between statesSettle disputes between states

o Allowed Treaty of Paris and Northwest Ordinance to be

passed.

Strengths of the Articles of Strengths of the Articles of Confederation: Settling Western Confederation: Settling Western

LandsLands

The Land Ordinance of 1785, The Land Ordinance of 1785, stated that stated that land in the west was to be surveyed using a land in the west was to be surveyed using a grid system to establish 6 mile blocksgrid system to establish 6 mile blocks

The Northwest OrdinanceThe Northwest Ordinance assisted in the assisted in the orderly expansion of the United States, it orderly expansion of the United States, it outlined a plan for applying for statehood to outlined a plan for applying for statehood to western territorieswestern territories 5,000 free males who own 50 acres can start 5,000 free males who own 50 acres can start

govtgovt Population of 60,000 could become a statePopulation of 60,000 could become a state

Settling Western landsSettling Western lands

The Northwest The Northwest Ordinance provides an Ordinance provides an orderly settlement orderly settlement process in the Westprocess in the West

It promisedIt promised no slaveryno slavery educationeducation freedom of religionfreedom of religion trial by jurytrial by jury

Northwest TerritoryNorthwest Territory

The Northwest Territory was east of the Mississippi River and north of the Ohio River. The states of Ohio, Indiana, Illinois, Michigan, and Wisconsin would be formed from this area.

Reasons for Shay’s Reasons for Shay’s RebellionRebellion

Farmers are required to pay Farmers are required to pay debts in gold, but they have debts in gold, but they have no money because they no money because they were not paid during the were not paid during the war.war.

Wealthy lawmakers Wealthy lawmakers invested their money in the invested their money in the war too.war too. Sought to collect by taking Sought to collect by taking

the farms of debtors. the farms of debtors.

Shays’s RebellionShays’s Rebellion Rebellions happened across Rebellions happened across

the states, but was most the states, but was most serious in Mass. serious in Mass. Bad harvests, economic Bad harvests, economic

depression and high depression and high taxes.taxes.

Daniel ShaysDaniel Shays leader; leader; 4,000 men. 4,000 men. Tried to capture federal Tried to capture federal

arsenal.arsenal. Harass supporters of Harass supporters of

state gov. state gov.

Shays’s RebellionShays’s RebellionThe Mass militia is called out to stop The Mass militia is called out to stop

ititPoor farmers in 1791 elect officials Poor farmers in 1791 elect officials

who support their stance and will who support their stance and will close courthouses and demand close courthouses and demand financial help from the Congressfinancial help from the Congress

Shays’ Rebellion will prompt national Shays’ Rebellion will prompt national leaders to create a stonger central leaders to create a stonger central governmentgovernment

Samuel Adams Said What?!Samuel Adams Said What?!

“Rebellion against a king may be pardoned, or lightly punished, but the man who dares to rebel against the laws of a republic ought to suffer death”

Thomas Jefferson Said What?!Thomas Jefferson Said What?!

"A little rebellion now and then is a good thing. It is a medicine necessary for the sound health of government. God forbid that we should ever be twenty years without such a rebellion."