Why were the Articles of Confederation so

unsuccessful?

The New Republic• (1781) The states create and adopt the

Articles of Confederation

Articles of Confederation• Organizes Congress• One vote per state• Failed to:– Make or collect taxes– Regulate trade– 9 of the 13 states needed to pass a law– All 13 states must agree to make any changes (amend)– No executive and no federal courts

Land Ordinance of 1785• It divided land in underdeveloped territories

Northwest Ordinance of 1787

Set guidelines for a territory to apply for statehood• 1) Congress appoints a Governor• 2) 5,000 residents draft (write) a constitution

and elect representatives• 3) 60,000 residents total, a State Constitution,

and the approval of Congress.

Northwest Ordinance of 1787

Shays’ Rebellion

Shay’s Rebellion• Weaknesses of the Articles of

Confederation led to economic troubles

• Daniel Shays and Massachusetts farmers unsuccessfully try to take an arsenal (weapons) in Springfield

• 4 of Shays’ men are killed• The rebellion shows the need

for a stronger central (federal) central government