Eliseo Lugo III

 Describe the framework of the original constitution, the Articles of Confederation.  Analyze how the structure of the Articles of Confederation will lead to Shay’s Rebellion.

 America was now an independent nation having won the Revolutionary War, but now what? What would the country and the government look like? What would be the first Constitution of the new nation?

 The Articles of Confederation was the first Constitution of the United States of America  The Articles were written in 1777 by John Dickinson.  The Articles were accepted by Congress in 1781.

6  Unicameral (single house) legislative body  Each state had one vote regardless of population size  Congress given sole authority to govern the country  An executive committee oversaw government when Congress was not in session  Congress would establish temporary courts to hear disputes among the states  There was no Court System or Executive Branch yet

7  Declare war and make peace  Make treaties with foreign countries  Establish an army and navy  Print and borrow money  Establish weights and measures  Hear disputes among the states related to trade or boundaries

 The Treaty of Paris 1783 was signed under the Articles of Confederation, ending the American Revolution  Had the power to declare war and peace, print money, make treaties and settle state disputes  The Northwest Ordinance was passed.  It: assisted in the orderly expansion of the United States, it outlined a plan for applying for statehood to western territories  5,000 free males who own 50 acres can start government  Population of 60,000 could become a state  Northwest Ordinance prohibited slavery in these new territories

 The Northwest Territory was east of the Mississippi River and north of the Ohio River. The states of Ohio, Indiana, Illinois, Michigan, and Wisconsin would be formed from this area.

10  Trade with foreign nations  Financing the nation  Foreign relations  Interstate relations A 1783 cartoon satirizing relations between Britain and America

 One of the results of the American Revolution was the strong initial desire for a weak central government.  A weak central government was desired by the majority, since they had just fought a war to rid themselves of the King, who in their eyes represented the strong central government.  As a result, under the Articles of Confederation, the states had more power than the national government.  The national government under the Articles did not have the power to tax or enforce laws.  The national government did have the power to wage war, but since they couldn’t tax, there was no way to pay for it.  The government could also issue money, but the states didn’t have to use it. The states had their own money.  During this time in history, there was no uniform national currency. Each state had its own currency. How could this be a problem?

 Congress had no power to raise taxes  Congress had no power regulate foreign or state trade  Laws had to be approved by 9 out of 13 states  Congress did not have the power to enforce laws  Since the national government could not tax, and the national money was worthless, debt became a huge problem.

“The states during this period ( ) were held together by a rope of sand.”

 The biggest problem was that the soldiers who had fought the war, had not been paid.  Most of the soldiers were farmers, and they were unable to pay their debts.  What will these weaknesses lead to?

 Shay's RebellionShay's Rebellion

 Farmers were taken into court, then to jail, and their land was taken away from them because they were in debt.  In 1786, an armed revolt by farmers against the state government took place.  The revolt was led by Daniel Shays.  Daniel Shays was a veteran of the American Revolution who had not been paid for his services during the war.

 Farmers are required to pay debts in gold, they have no money because they were not paid during the warPoor farmers are not represented in the Mass legislature and cannot pass debt relief laws  The rebellion will free debtors from prisons and close courts that are hearing cases against farmers

 Shay’s Rebellion would be terminated by the local Militia.  Shay’s Rebellion will show the nation that a stronger central government is needed.  Shay’s Rebellion, while unsuccessful, sparked fear among Americans that unless changes were made, the potential for future Rebellions was a reality.

 The Articles of Confederation were weak by design  The AOC weaknesses far outweighed its strengths  Under the Articles of Confederation, the nation could not survive long term.  Shay’s Rebellion would ultimately lead to the Constitutional Convention in Philadelphia in 1787.