Weaknesses of The Articles of Confederation

Visual 1: No Chief Executive Brainstorm Possible Problems

Visual 2: Laws Needed 9/13 to be Approved Brainstorm Possible Problems

Visual 3: The legislative branch (Congress) did not have the power to tax citizens. It could only request tax money from the states.   Currently… Brainstorm Possible Problems

Visual 4: The legislative branch did not have the power to draft an army. It could only request states to send men for military services.   Brainstorm Possible Problems

There was no federal court system. Visual 5: There was no federal court system.   Brainstorm Possible Problems

Visual 6: Any amendments (changes) to the Articles had to be approved by all 13 states.   Brainstorm Possible Problems

Visual 7: The legislative branch did not have the power to collect state debts owed to the national government.   States Brainstorm Possible Problems

North Carolina vs. South Carolina Visual 8: The legislative branch did not have the power to settle disputes among states.   ? North Carolina vs. South Carolina Brainstorm Possible Problems

Visual 9: Shays’s Rebellion SHAYS’S REBELLION, August 29, 1786 – The Massachusetts rebellion, led by Daniel Shay, started largely due to financial difficulties led by a post-war economic depression and harsh state government policies instituted in 1785 to solve the state's debt problems. Protesters, including many war veterans, shut down county courts in the later months of 1786 to stop the judicial hearings for tax and debt collection. The protesters then arrested some state government leaders, and began to organize an armed force. A Massachusetts militia raised as a private army defeated Shay rebels attempting to seize the federal Springfield Armory in late January 1787, killing four and wounding twenty. The most significant incident was initiated in Sheffield in late February, where 30 rebels were wounded (one mortally) in a skirmish with government troops. Many Americans saw Shays’s Rebellion as a sign that the Articles of Confederation didn’t work. In May 1787, leaders called for a convention to revise the Articles of Confederation. Representatives from each state would meet in Philadelphia. This meeting would become known as Constitutional Convention. The shock of Shays' Rebellion even drew retired General George Washington back into public life, leading to his terms as the United States' first President.   What was the result of Shays’s Rebellion?

Visual 1: No Chief Executive Why Included? Problem? States feared that a strong central leader would result in an abuse of power (tyranny).   This could result in a lack of leadership from federal government. There was a lack of central leadership for the nation. DISUNITY!

Visual 2: Laws Needed 9/13 to be Approved Why Included? Problem? New states wanted to protect their power. They feared that a strong central government could lead to abuse of power.   States and citizens feared that they would be forced to pay for things without their consent.

Visual 3: The legislative branch (Congress) did not have the power to tax citizens. It could only request tax money from the states. Why Included? Problem? States and citizens feared that they would be forced to pay for things without their consent.   States could choose not to pay taxes. This could result in the federal government not having the funds to operate effectively or protect.

It could result in a lack of protection for the nation. Visual 4: The legislative branch did not have the power to draft an army. It could only request states to send men for military services. Why Included? Problem? States feared that a central government with a strong army that might take away citizens’ rights.   It could result in a lack of protection for the nation.

Visual 5: There was no federal court system.   Why Included? Problem? States feared that a court system might be unfair, overlooking individual states’ rights   There would be no legal authority unifying the states. Laws could be different from state to state.

Visual 6: Any amendments (changes) to the Articles had to be approved by all 13 states. Why Included? Problem? States wanted to be ensured that they had an equal voice in the lawmaking process.   It could be difficult to get a unanimous decision on anything, making the amendment process difficult.

Visual 7: The legislative branch did not have the power to collect state debts owed to the national government.   Why Included? Problem? States feared a strong central government could force states to pay for things they didn’t want.   States did not pay their debts. Federal government had no money to operate.

Visual 8: The legislative branch did not have the power to settle disputes among states. Why Included? Problem? States did not want to have a national authority telling them what to do.   Disagreements among states could not be resolved. This created disunity among states.

Visual 9: Shays’s Rebellion Use a an excerpt from the text that best summarizes the result of Shays’s rebellion: “In May 1787, leaders called for a convention to revise the Articles of Confederation. Representatives from each state would meet in Philadelphia. This meeting would become known as Constitutional Convention.”