Governing a New Nation AKA- Now What?

Declaration of Independence dissolved bonds with England- Colonies no longer under English rule Colonies needed to have new form of government Did not want a strong central government Continental Congress was temporary group with limited authority- but authority was not clearly defined.

1776- following Declaration of Independence Continental Congress asked colonies to create their own governments separate from English Rule Colonies wrote constitutions - documents in which the laws, principles, organization, and processes of a government are established.

Colonies created constitutions - frequently based on previous charters from the King. With new constitutions, colonies become independent soverign states- they have the authority to govern themselves

State Governments Minimized power of Governors (executive) Most power given to the people - through legislatures legislatures- governing bodies that are elected by the people and are responsible for making laws

Under State Constitutions…. More people could vote- white males- over 21, who owned land -blacks- only in a few states (northern) - women- only in New Jersey (until 1807) Most followed VA’s lead and included “Bill of Rights” - did not want repeat of violations listed in Dec. of Ind. - protected individual rights freedom of speech, press, religion, trial by jury

By 1777, most colonies had created constitutions- becoming states Congress needed a government to join the states together into some kind of unit- Wrote Articles of Confederation and Perpetual Union Confederation- league or alliance- independent states or nations joined in a confederacy whose central authority is limited to common defense or limited political cooperation

ARTICLES OF CONFEDERATION Passed by Congress November 15, 1777 Ratified by States March 1, 1781 Created weak central government- with limited power to govern the much stronger states

Articles of Confederation created very weak Government- Why? - learned from their past experiences with England - felt their rights had been abused by strong central government…. King George III and Parliament - were very concerned about protecting their liberties (rights) - under articles states had more power than Congress

Additionally- Government could print money, but so could all of the states- different currencies created economic confusion

United States of America Articles of Confederation Objective: To examine the weaknesses of the Articles of Confederation. United States of America Articles of Confederation

Why did the Articles of Confederation fail? I. Currency Issues The United States did not have a common currency. Americans carried money from the federal government, state government, and foreign nations.

Merchants stopped accepting money from outside of their own state, causing a lot of money to become worthless. This caused an increase in inflation.

Why did the Articles of Confederation fail? II. Debt Congress could not tax the people and depended on money from the states. Therefore, the U.S. was unable to pay its debts! Examples: - The U.S. owed money to France, Holland, and Spain for loans made during the Revolutionary War. - The U.S. had not paid many of their own soldiers!

Why did the Articles of Confederation fail? III. International and Domestic Problems The U.S. lacked the military power to defend itself against Great Britain and Spain. States acted as individual countries and seldom agreed. Example: - Connecticut and Virginia almost went to war over land claims!

Why did the Articles of Confederation fail? Courts (Judicial Branch) The nation lacked a national court system. Supreme Court

Why did the Articles of Confederation fail? President (Executive Branch) The nation did not have a President, or Chief Executive. White House

Why did the Articles of Confederation fail? Congress (Legislative Branch) Congress had one house. (unicameral) Laws were difficult to pass, needing the approval of nine states. Congress was responsible to the states, not the people. Congress had no power to collect taxes, regulate trade, coin money, or establish a military.

Government under A of C not a complete failure.. Passed and implemented Land Ordinance of 1785 Plan to - -deal with national debt -deal with arguments between states over competing land claims -promote growth of agriculture in ORV

Designated land North and west of Ohio River as NORTHWEST TERRITIORY Got States to donate land to National Gov’t- stops their arguing over it Nat’l Gov’t could sell land to raise money to pay debts Needed boundaries or other structure to sell “lots”

Land Ordinance of 1785 Divided land into sections and townships- Based on squares- TOWNSHIP = square of 6 miles X 6 miles & contained 36 SECTIONS How big was 1 section?

Sections were 1 square mile- 640 acres To be sold for no less than $1.00 per acre Lots later sold as 1/2 sections - 320 acres 1 section was set aside for support of public schools.

Northwest Ordinance of 1787 Provided for governing of new territories Congress would appoint Gov, Secretary, 3 judges When 5000 free males of voting age had settled it became self governing When population reached 60,000 they could apply for statehood Outlawed slavery in NW territory Ohio, Indiana, Illinois, Michigan, Wisconsin, part of Minnesota

Economic Depression -1780’s Multiple currencies, rampant inflation, barriers to trade and falling crop prices led to a long period of economic depression This led to unrest in many areas as farmers were hit hardest and were unable to pay their taxes. Some states passed laws protecting the debtors, but others imprisoned those who could not pay People began to resent the ineffectiveness of the national government Annapolis Convention - Meeting in Annapolis, MD to discuss and find resolutions to the ongoing economic and political problems. It was unsuccessful 

Shays’ Rebellion shows us the Weaknesses Massachusetts farmers had hard time paying taxes imposed by state. Many farmers lost their farms for failure to pay state taxes. Daniel Shays led group of men in revolt against jails and courthouses to free debtors and destroy tax records.

Shays’ Rebellion shows us the Weaknesses (Cont’d) -This “popular unrest”, and the lack of an executive branch of the gov’t to handle it, frightened leading Americans Showed need for stronger central government to: Help solve economic problems Help solve disputes between the states Help solve trade problems with foreign countries Put down rebellions and other “popular unrest” and keep it from spreading. Led to calls for a Convention in Philadelphia to revise the Articles of Confederation and to strengthen the central gov’t