Articles of Confederation - PDF Free Download

Confederation

Confederation A group of people, countries, organizations, etc., that are joined together in some activity or effort More or less permanently united for common purposes

Articles of Confederation

Articles of Confederation Presented in 1777 by a committee appointed by Congress the Articles of Confederation were not ratified by all 13 states until March 1781. Some had problems with the idea of central government Becomes the first Constitution of the United States

Problems with the Articles of Confederation

Problems with the Articles of Confederation From dealing with Britain, a fear of a strong national government. The Founders believed that a central government was necessary but they believed that the British government deprived Americans of their right s and they thought this was likely to happen with any central government.

Problems with the Articles of Confederation The fear that some states might dominate others in the national government. Each state wanted to make sure that the national government would be organized in such a way that it would not interfere in their states interests.

Unicameral

Unicameral Consisting of a single chamber, as a legislative assembly.

Bicameral

Bicameral Having two branches, chambers, or houses, as a legislative body.

Government Layout

Government Layout The resulting government was comprised of a unicameral Congress No executive and no national courts. Disputes among the states were settled by Congress. Congress only had the powers that were expressed in the Articles, basically foreign affairs and defense.

Congressional powers

Congressional powers Congress could: make war and peace Send and receive ambassadors Enter into treaties Raise and equip a navy Maintain an army by requesting troops from the states

Congressional powers Appoint senior military officers Fix standards of weights and measures Regulate Indian affairs Establish post offices Decide certain disputes among the states

Northwest Ordinance of 1787

Northwest Ordinance of 1787 Individual states ceded their claims to the national government. Established the principle that territories were to be developed for statehood on an equal basis with the older states.

Setup of Governmental Departments

Setup of Governmental Departments Congress set up the Departments of Foreign Affairs War Marine Treasury.

Weaknesses of the Articles of Confederation

Weaknesses of the Articles of Confederation Congress could not levy or collect taxes. Congress did not have the power to regulate trade. Congress could not force anyone to obey the laws passed or abide by the Articles. Laws had to be approved by 9 of the 13 states. Amending or changing the Articles required consent of all 13 states. No executive branch. This meant there was no unity in policy making and no way to coordinate the work of the different committees. The government had no national court system.

Growing problems

Growing problems The states began to quarrel, mainly over boundary lines and tariffs. States began to deal directly with foreign nations. The government owed $40 million to foreign governments and American soldiers. The states began facing financial troubles. Economic troubles led to rebellion.

Shays s Rebellion

Shays s Rebellion Daniel Shays was a former Army Captain and a farmer. He like several other men left their farms and businesses to fight in the Revolutionary War. When they returned home they found they no longer owned their farms and business because they were sold to pay debts accrued while off fighting. The national government had no money to pay the soldiers, and now they had no means to earn money.

Shays s Rebellion Daniel Shays led a band of 1200 men that closed the Massachusetts state supreme court. The justices offered them no help, so they advanced on the federal arsenal in Springfield. The rebellion was put down by the Massachusetts militia. This and other rebellions prompted many Americans to call for a strong national government.

Constitutional Convention of 1787

Constitutional Convention of 1787 This convention began on May 25, 1787. All states except Rhode Island sent delegates. 74 delegates were appointed, 55 attended. 8 delegates signed the Declaration of Independence. 6 signed the Articles of Confederation.