The Articles of Confederation: America’s First Government

Questions about how to set up America’s First Government 1.) Does the nation need a federal government in addition to the state governments? 2.) Should it be Strong or Weak?

Federal vs. State Federal Government State Government Meets in Washington D.C. Makes Laws for the entire country State Government Meets in the individual states Makes laws for the state ONLY

Schools: Federal Government = Principals Make rules that affect the entire school Hats, gum chewing, electronics etc State Government = Individual Classes Make rules that affect the individual class No Name policies, late work, how a class is run. In your opinion who should have more power over the classrooms? Principals or the Teachers?

Federal or State? SB 1070 Drinking and Driving is illegal Consequence for drinking and driving? Why should individual states have the power to make their own laws? Federal STATE

America’s 1st Government = Articles of Confederation Basics: Why: The newly independent United States needed a government. Who: Continental Congress What: A loose confederation (association) of independent (self-governing) states When: Ratified (formally approved) in 1781 Where: Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

The Articles of Confederation Federal Government One Branch of Government – The National Legislature (Congress) States = A single vote in the National Legislature No Executive or Judicial Branch Powers of National Legislature: Power to declare war Make treaties with foreign countries Work out trade agreements between states Maintain an army and a navy

The Articles of Confederation State Governments: State governments created to support federal government Each State Created a Constitution Each Constitution included Montesquieu’s idea of “separation of powers” Legislature was given the most power because it is the most representative of citizens

Articles of Confederation’s Successes Negotiated the Treaty of Paris ending the Revolutionary War The passage of the Land Ordinance of 1785 Plan for dividing federally owned land west of the Appalachian Mountains Land was divided equally in squares rather than by rocks and trees

Articles of Confederation’s Successes 3. The passage of the Northwest Ordinance Outlined how Northwest Territory would be governed and procedures for admission of new states to the Union. 5,000 Free Males = Self-Government 60,000 people = Apply for statehood

Article of Confederation’s Weaknesses No power to tax Federal gov’t had to ask for money from the states who were under no obligation to give the money No control over foreign commerce Were not able to successfully regulate trade between the states States were free to tax each other

Article of Confederation’s Weaknesses Could pass laws but could not force the states to comply with them The government was dependent on the willingness of the various states to cooperate Often the states refused Could not draft soldiers Had to ask the states to provide them willingly

Paying for the Revolutionary War The States had to pay off their debts Law makers created new taxes with many states requiring that debts be paid with silver or gold Farmers brought in very little silver and gold and found it very difficult to pay their debts Many farmers lost their land in Debtors Court Some ended up in jail as debtors Massachusetts had the worst, largest war debt in nation from fighting the most and longest

Shays’ Rebellion 1786, Mobs of Farmers gathered under the leadership Daniel Shays, a local farmer They violently shut down Debtors Courts Prevented business from occurring so that no one would lose their land or be jailed Congress of the Confederation authorized the raising of troops to combat the rebels, but the national government was powerless to raise the money to finance the troops

Excuse me, Massachusetts…Do you think that you can collect taxes from your people and send them to me? I really need the money. Are you kidding me??!?! I am in debt too! My people can not even pay MY Taxes! I am in debt… BAD! But I can not collect taxes… I can only ask the states…. I hope that they help!!

I don’t think so scooter… I am poor too… I don’t have enough money to pay you and feed my family! Due to the Debt from the Revolutionary War every family is going to have to pay taxes. Well then I am going to have to tax food. Bread is now $1.50 instead of a dollar! ARE YOU INSANE?!?!?! Now I can not even afford to feed my family!! WHAT CAN I DO?!?!

I wouldn’t do that if I were you bucko!! I risked my life and fought for my country and NOW they wont even pay me what they owe me!!! I am going to REVOLT! I must destroy the state’s weapons to show them I mean BUSINESS… maybe then they will listen to me! I wouldn’t do that if I were you bucko!! BANG Sorry MA… I can’t help you out, I do not have enough money to get troops to you! State Militia Shay

Impact of Shays’ Rebellion Shays rebellion showed the National Government had no power to meet such a crisis; revision needed Washington: “The Confederation appears to me to be little more than a shadow without substance.” Jefferson: “A little rebellion now and then is a good thing…the tree of liberty must be refreshed from time to time with the blood of patriots and tyrants.”