ARTICLES OF CONFEDERATION
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Create a T Chart
Write down the strengths of the JP Case
government on one side, and the weaknesses
on the other.
State Government: a system to run each state,
like the New Jersey government
Federal Government: a system to run the entire
country. Like the United States government.
Articles of Confederation: The first government
of the United States after independence from
England.
Federal Control
declare war
give
soldiers make or ask for $
settle fights between states
foreign relations
vote on
laws trade
Enforce
Laws
collect
taxes
State Control
deal with Native Americans
ARTICLES OF CONFEDERATION SETUP
The first national government of the United States was established in March 1781.
The state governments (NJ) had more power than the national or government (US)
Founders were fearful of concentrated power due to past experience with the British
ARTICLES OF CONFEDERATION SETUP
Each state received one vote, regardless of its size
or population.
Needed 9 of the 13 states to vote yes to a bill.
Needed a unanimous vote to make a change to
the Articles of Confederation.
No President (enforces laws) or National Court
(interprets laws)
Unicameral Congress- one house
ACCOMPLISHMENTS
Congress passed Land Ordinance of 1785 to raise money to pay debts.
Ordinance provided for surveying and dividing western lands.
Land was split into townships.
Each township was divided into lots for sale to the public.
Congress passed Northwest Ordinance of 1787.
Established Northwest Territory and a system for creating new states
Included what are now the states of Illinois, Indiana, Michigan, Ohio, Minnesota, and Wisconsin
Required the provision of public education and banned slavery
ARTICLES OF CONFEDERATION WEAKNESSES
The national government could not force the
states to obey its laws
It did not have the power to tax
It did not have the power to enforce laws
Congress lacked strong and steady leadership
There was no national army or navy
ARTICLES OF CONFEDERATION WEAKNESSES
There was no system of national courts
Each state issued its own paper money
Each state could put tariffs on trade between
states ( a tariff is a tax on goods coming in from
another state or country).
Why did the Articles of Confederation fail?
I. Currency Issues
• The United States did not have a common currency.
• Americans carried money from
the federal government, state
government, and foreign nations.
Inflation was a problem in many states, which struggled to pay off war debts by printing money. Inflation occurs when there are increased prices for goods and services combined with the reduced value of money.
Why did the Articles of Confederation fail?
II. Debt
• Congress could not tax the people and depended on money
from the states.
• Therefore, the U.S. was unable to pay its debts!
Examples:
- The U.S. owed money to France, Holland, and Spain for
loans made during the Revolutionary War.
- The U.S. had not paid many of their own soldiers!
Why did the Articles of Confederation fail?
III. International and Domestic Problems
• The U.S. lacked the
military power to defend
itself against Great Britain
and Spain.
• States acted as
individual countries and
seldom agreed.
Example:
- Connecticut and Virginia
almost went to war over
land claims!
WHY DID THE ARTICLES OF CONFEDERATION
FAIL?
Daniel Shays led Massachusetts farmers in
a revolt over high taxes and heavy debt in
August 1786.
Shays Rebellion was put down by state
troops in January 1787.
Tried to force the shutdown of the
Supreme Court in Massachusetts
No one’s property could be taken to pay
off debts if the court was closed.
Many citizens agreed with the rebels and
their cause.
State officials freed most of the rebels.
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