A Growing Country, Growing Problems
Please Hand in your Constitution Center Packets in
pile on front table
After Independence
Articles of Confederation approved in 1781
Why would the new country create such a weak government?
Growth Proclamation of 1763 gone Westward Settlement begins
Central Government to sell land for revenue.
Jefferson’s Idea Divide into self governing districts Certain population = petition for
statehood
Ordinance of 1785 Procedure for dividing and selling land Township 6mi x 6mi / 36 sections of 640 Acres Sold at 1 acre per 1 dollar
Northwest Ordinance 1787 Single District N of Ohio and E of
Mississippi 60,000 could become a state No Slavery Law protecting rights
– Trial By Jury– Freedom of religion
Land Sales Good, Other Problems Bad!
Foreign Problems Money Problems Economic Problems Trade Problems
Foreign Problems England Failure to meet
terms of Treaty of Paris 1783
Spain Closed Mississippi
Money Problems Debt Why under the Articles of
Confederation could the National Government run into money problems?
Economic Depression Inflation Slow economic activity Unemployment up
Economic Depression Crops in the South damaged Most governmental money went to
debt payments Shortage of Currency
Unfair Trade Britain closed West Indies to colonial
trade
Tough Times for Farmers Many states taxed farmers Farmers unable to pay Lost farms and went to jail
1786 - Shay’s Rebellion Capt Daniel Shays Western
Massachusetts Jefferson on the
revolt “A little rebellion
now and then is a good thing.”
Weaknesses of the Articles
Ineffective national government States too powerful
– Clashes between the states Economic Depression
Call for Change Led By:
– Alexander Hamilton – Lawyer– James Madison – Planter
Revise the Government!
The Annapolis Convention
Lack of ability to regulate commerce
Its Time to Meet! Constitutional Convention – May 1787 Originally to meet on trade issues
T-Chart Activity
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