The The Articles of Articles of ConfederatConfederat

ionion

EQ: What are the

Articles of Confederation

and

how did it change America?

EQ: What are the Articles of

Confederation? The Articles of Confederation represent the first

constitutional agreement made between the 13 American states.

WHY WAS IT WRITTEN?There was a need for UNITY among the new states that

were created as a result of the American Revolution. The powers of the individual states and the Continental

Congress also needed to be defined for the young country.

This federal constitution was called the Articles of Confederation and was submitted

to the Second Continental Congress on July 12, 1776, 8 days after the signing of the Declaration of Independence.

Drafting the Articles of

Confederation√ The Articles were written in 1777 by a Pennsylvania statesman named John Dickinson.

√ The Articles were accepted by Congress in 1781 and is considered

the FIRST national constitution

The Articles of Confederation

√ The fear of having too much power in one person’s hands reflects the experiences the colonies had under a monarchy (King George III)

√ In the Articles the state governments limit the power of the National Congress

What were the Weaknesses of the

Articles of Confederation?√ Congress had no power to raise taxes

√ Congress had no power regulate commerce - foreign or state trade

√ Laws had to be approved by 9 out of 13 states

√ Congress did not have the power to enforce laws

This means the government was dependent on the willingness of the various states to

carry out its measures, and often the states refused to cooperate.

Strengths of the Articles of

Confederation√ The Treaty of Paris was signed √ The Northwest Ordinance was passed

√ Had the power to declare war and peace, make treaties, print money, and settle disputes among states

Other Strengths of the Articles of

Confederation: Settling Western Lands

√ The Land Ordinance of 1785, stated that land in the west was to be surveyed using a grid system to establish 6 mile blocks√ The Northwest Ordinance assisted in the orderly expansion of the United States, it outlined a plan for applying for statehood to western territories

√ 5,000 free males who own 50 acres can start government

√ Population of 60,000 could become a state

Settling Western LandsThe Northwest Ordinance

provides an orderly settlement process in the

West. It promised:

√ no slavery√ education

√ freedom of religion√ trial by jury

Northwest Territory√ The Northwest

Territory was east of the Mississippi River and

north of the Ohio River.

The states of Ohio, Indiana, Illinois,

Michigan, & Wisconsin would be formed from

this area.

Shays’ Rebellion√ Poor farmers are not

represented in the Mass legislature and cannot pass debt relief laws

√ The rebellion will free debtors from prisons and close courts that are hearing cases against farmers

Reasons for Shay’s Rebellion

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

√ Wealthy lawmakers invested their money in the war too and seek to get money from the farmers debts

Shays’ Rebellion

√ The Mass militia is called out to stop it√ Poor farmers in 1791 elect officials who support their stance and will close courthouses and demand financial help from the Congress√ Shays’ Rebellion prompted national leaders to create a stronger central government

Thomas Jefferson once said…

"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."

SO, let’s REVIEW…