Articles of Confederation and Constitutional Conventions
The Declaration of Independence Recognized changes taking place in colonies; colonies becoming states subject to no higher authority Colonies begin to adopt written constitutions or convert colonial charters to constitutions Most state constitutions contained bill of rights defining personal liberties and people as sole source of authority in limited government
Articles of Confederation Richard Henry Lee called for resolution for independence and plan for confederation Articles continued structure of government set up by Second Continental Congress Created a confederation or league of friendship among 13 states rather than strong central government By March 1781 all 13 states had ratified Articles
Government under Articles of Confederation Unicameral Legislature (Congress) Executive Leaders chosen from Legislature Government run by Committees of State with one delegate from each state when Congress not in session no federal court system Congress settles disputes among states each state, 1 vote in Congress regardless of size state legislatures select reps to Congress; paid them & could recall at any time
Congress under the Articles Congress only had powers listed in Articles make war/peace send/receive ambassadors make treaties raise/equip a navy maintain an army by asking for state troops appoint top military officers fix weights and measures regulate Indian affiars set up post offices decide some state disputes
Weaknesses of the Articles Created ineffective national government Each state would not give up sovereignty to central government 1. Congress had no power to levy taxes 2. Congress did not have the power to regulate trade 3. Congress could not force anyone to obey the laws it passed or to abide by AOC 4. Laws needed 9 of 13 state approval 5. Amending the Articles requires all states to agree 6. Central government did not have an executive branch 7. the government had no national court
Contributions of the Articles 1. Establishing a fair and consistent policy for settling and developing lands west of Appalachian Mountains a. Passed land ordinances i. Ordinance of 1785 ii. Northwest Ordinance of 1787
Contributions of the Articles 2.1783 Treaty of Paris a. Britain recognized American independence b. land acquired from Britain expanded U.S. from Atlantic coast to Mississippi River ~ Great Lakes and Canada to Florida 3. Departments of Foreign Affairs, Marine and the Treasury under a single permanent secretary a. set precedent for creation of cabinet department under the Constitution of 1787 4. Full Faith and Credit
Need for Stronger National Government 1. Growing problems a. states quarrel over borders, tariffs and taxes b. sovereignty of states c. states dealing directly with foreign countries d. central government in debt e. states in debt
Shay s Rebellion Daniel Shay led a band of farmers to close Mass Supreme Court to prevent foreclosures on farmer s land Justices refused to help Shay leads 1,200 towards federal arsenal in Springfield Put down by Mass militia Unrest scared American leaders Henry Knox calls for strong national government
Annapolis Convention 1785: George Washington calls a meeting at Mount Vernon to discuss conflict between Maryland and Virginia Success of meeting resulted in call for a meeting in Annapolis, Maryland to discuss trade in 1786 Only 5 states send delegates: Alexander Hamilton (NY) James Madison (Va) Hamilton persuades other delegates to call for another convention in Philadelphia in May 1787 Purpose: regulate commerce among states, make national government more effective and revise Articles of Confederation