The Articles of Confederation
Explain the weaknesses and strengths of the Articles of Confederation. Examine the need for a strong central government.
Document that broke the 12 English colonies from British control July 4 th, 1776 Did not create a system of government to pull the former colonies together as a nation New states thought of themselves 13 separate, independent countries Need was great: common defense colonies will fight as one nation
Wrote and passed the Declaration Made up of delegates from all 13 colonies; met in Philadelphia at Independence Hall Closest thing to a national government America had seen Quickly realizes that a document was needed to combine all the states into one nation National security Money Work to create a government that will allow the states independence but also protect each other Result: CONFEDERACY: loose union of independent states Each state would work together to promote the common good but remain independent.
Continued the structure and operation of the government as established under the Second Continental Congress Congress approves the articles in 1777 but it will not be until March, 1781when all 13 states ratified (approved) the Articles 6 pages Hold the country together during the Revolution Weakness of the Articles is revealed Concern was for fear of 2 things: Strong central government Domination of one state over another
Central government: Unicameral Legislature Unicameral: single house or chamber Congress had all the power to make all decisions on the war of independence Had only power expressed in the Articles (mainly lawmaking) Could not enforce any decisions Ex: Could not tax not make the states pay funds needed by the army Each state had one vote (no matter what) Delegates were chosen by the state leg. Did not create an executive or judicial branch
Article 1: gives the new country its name: The United States of America Article 2: Makes it clear that each state would remain independent and retain its sovereignty (absolute authority) Article 3: establishes a confederation Each state would have to come to the aid of any other state under attack Articles 4: establishes equal treatment and movement between the states Includes extradition from one state to another Article 5: Gives one vote to each state no matter what Also provided for the majority to agree (9 states) this protected the 6 larger states from being outvoted by the 7 smaller
Article 6: Lists what the states could not do Send or receive ambassadors to foreign countries Any commercial relations Maintain military forces beyond what is necessary for self-defense Declare or engage in war (unless attacked) Article 7: Military personal under colonel named by state legislatures Article 8: created a formula for requesting funds Not based on population but the amount of land owned in each state Article 9: Grants Congress the sole and exclusive right of determining war and peace, exchanging ambassadors, and serve as the court between state disputes
Revolutionary War was conducted and won under the Articles govt. Also secured the diplomatic independence from European governments Created executive departments such as finance, military affairs Beginnings of executive cabinet Northwest Ordinance of 1787: encompassed the Ohio River Valley Becomes the states of Ohio, Michigan, Indiana, Illinois, Wisconsin and part of Minnesota Also laid out the process in which a territory can become a state Prohibits slavery in territory forever
Weak national government Does not provide the government with the power to operate properly Includes: Congress has no power to tax Asks the states to support the national govt. (borrowing money) Includes funds for war Congress had no power to make laws regulating trade among the states States taxed exports going to other states Congress had no power to make laws directly regulating the behavior of citizens
Difficulty governing the new nation became even more apparent after the Revolution ended States became less and less united All had different views on numerous topics (Ex: slavery, commerce) Some members of Congress wanted to amend the Articles Article 13, however, prohibits amendments unless ratified by all 13 states By 1783: original member s of Congress had left and were replaced by others who thought less of the Articles 1786: 5 states sent delegates to Annapolis, MY to discuss issues with the Articles Decided to send delegates to Philadelphia Convention to amend articles (not develop a new Constitution)
Many people realized that the Articles of Confederation were weak Shay s Rebellion occurred in 1786 Event pushed the government for a stronger national government Several hundred Massachusetts farmers Under the direction of Daniel Shays Sought to regulate the power of the state governments Government called the militia to put down the rebellion President George Washington called for action and change