The Articles of Confederation Our First Government

Articles of Confederation Proposed by John Dickinson PennsylvaniaProposed by John Dickinson Pennsylvania Loose confederation of 13 statesLoose confederation of 13 states Reflected the Declaration of IndependenceReflected the Declaration of Independence Rejected centralized power of the British Empire.Rejected centralized power of the British Empire.

Articles Continued Ratified in 1781Ratified in 1781 Had a single branch of government, CongressHad a single branch of government, Congress –No president, not supreme court But had major consequences for the emerging nationBut had major consequences for the emerging nation

Weakness: What Congress Could Do Each state had one vote.Each state had one vote. Responsibilities of CongressResponsibilities of Congress –Settle dispute between states –Issue money –Borrow money –Make treaties –ASK for money and troops from states States did not have to giveStates did not have to give

Strength: Northwest Territory----- Land Ordinance of 1785 Needing money to pay for the debts accrued during the war, the Government looked for ways to make moneyNeeding money to pay for the debts accrued during the war, the Government looked for ways to make money Land Ordinance of 1785:Land Ordinance of 1785: –Plan put in place under Articles of Confederation –Allowed western settlement –By 1784 hundreds had crossed Ohio River –Government couldn’t stop expansion, because they had no way to pay for a war over unregulated settlement.

Land Ordinance Cont… –Designed a plan for distributing the land –Drew a grid North and South, East and West Divided towns into 6 square milesDivided towns into 6 square miles –Divided each town into 36 sections (640 acres) –One lot was reserved for a public school and four others given to war veterans –Sold land for $1 an acre

Strength: Northwest Ordinance 1787 Provided a government for the western territoryProvided a government for the western territory –Created by Thomas Jefferson Governor, secretary, and two judges.Governor, secretary, and two judges. Citizens:Citizens: –Freedom of religion –Trial by Jury –Rights of common law »Habeas Corpus

Continued…. TerritoryTerritory –For an organized area to become a territory, it would need to have at least 5,000 men living in it. –They then would elect an assembly and create laws for the territory –Governor would retain absolute veto over laws When population reached 60,000 they could request admission to the union.When population reached 60,000 they could request admission to the union. Barred Slavery in the N.W. TerritoryBarred Slavery in the N.W. Territory –Caused conflict with the south

…… This forced 100,000 Natives to give up their landThis forced 100,000 Natives to give up their land (WEAKNESS) Defense against Natives was not easy because the National Government only had an army of 350 men.(WEAKNESS) Defense against Natives was not easy because the National Government only had an army of 350 men. However, 5 states were admitted to the union during this time.However, 5 states were admitted to the union during this time.

….. Ohio, Indiana, Illinois, Michigan, Wisconsin

The Northwest Ordinance of 1787 set up how a territory becomes a state, what were the requirements?The Northwest Ordinance of 1787 set up how a territory becomes a state, what were the requirements?

Conflicts with Other Nations Spanish distrusted AmericansSpanish distrusted Americans –Feared expansion –The Spanish blockaded New Orleans and Spain to prevent trade with the Americans –(WEAKNESS) Congress tried negotiating with the Spanish, but when a majority vote couldn’t be met the Spanish ended talks

Britain British began enforcing mercantilism that was in place under the navigation acts.British began enforcing mercantilism that was in place under the navigation acts. This included raising taxes on American good being exported to Britain, hurting American companies.This included raising taxes on American good being exported to Britain, hurting American companies. They also were seizing American trade ships.They also were seizing American trade ships.

British They also kept their forts at Niagara, Detroit and MichilimackinacThey also kept their forts at Niagara, Detroit and Michilimackinac –This violated the peace treaty, but appeased the Native.

Results of Articles of Confederation (Weakness) Government couldn’t make a national currency(Weakness) Government couldn’t make a national currency Relied on state contributionsRelied on state contributions No repayment of War debtsNo repayment of War debts Consequence: States bankrupted the nationConsequence: States bankrupted the nation Tried to amend the articles to give some tax money to government, but New York and Rhode Island refused to pass amendment.Tried to amend the articles to give some tax money to government, but New York and Rhode Island refused to pass amendment.

Consequence: Shay’s Rebellion Due to Debt collections, farmers took up arms in Massachusetts.Due to Debt collections, farmers took up arms in Massachusetts. 1786, was the goal to shut down the courts to stop foreclosures.1786, was the goal to shut down the courts to stop foreclosures. Daniel ShayDaniel Shay –Led 1,000 farmers –Rebellion put down by Army