AP United States History Unit 6: A New Nation Articles of Confederation AP United States History Unit 6: A New Nation

America after the Revolution Local ties remain predominant. Most Americans still consider themselves as citizens of their states, not as Americans. Belief that the sovereignty of the state was more important than that of the power of the central government. Would prove to be a problem later. Map of the 13 Colonies http://www.gibbs-smith.com/textbooks/downloads/13colonies/map.gif

America after the Revolution United in name only. Issues included: Western land claims. Slavery. Issues with foreign nations and Indians. Prewar and postwar debts of individual states. Merchants and producers vs. agriculture. Interstate trade. Second Continental Congress http://www.loc.gov/exhibits/declara/images/committ.jpg

The Articles of Confederation Origins First attempt at creating laws for our national government. Written by John Dickinson Articles of Confederation http://www.constitutioncenter.org/timeline/flash/assets/asset_upload_file755_11927.jpg

The Articles of Confederation Origins Ratification required by all thirteen states, would not be finalized until 1781. John Dickinson http://www.billofrightsinstitute.org/Instructional/Resources/ConstitutionDay/FoundersGallery/dickinson.jpg

The Articles of Confederation Key Rights in the Articles Each state receives one vote regardless of size. Limits to national power are contained in Article 2. “Each state retains its sovereignty, freedom, and independence, and every Power, jurisdiction, and right, which is not by this Confederation expressly delegated to the United States, in Congress assembled.” No right to tax individuals or states. Relied on the states for yearly contributions. Major weakness of the United States under the Articles of Confederation.

The Articles of Confederation Powers of Congress Declare war. Make treaties. Establish a postal system. Coin and borrow money. Regulate Indian affairs. Unicameral legislature. (1 House) Articles of Confederation http://www.nps.gov/history/history/online_books/constitution/images/fig2.jpg

The Articles of Confederation Process for Enacting Laws US Territory in the http://cla.calpoly.edu/~lcall/204/state_cessions.jpg One state, one vote. 9 of 13 needed to approve laws. No process for amendment.

The Articles of Confederation Executive Powers No separate executive branch. President appointed by Congress. Has no true power. Samuel Huntington, First President of the Confederation http://www.huntington.tierranet.com/bios/images/sam4.gif

The Articles of Confederation Judicial Powers None provided for a national government. Only state courts have judicial power. Creates chaos. Lady Justice http://www.co.yuma.az.us/LD/graphics/ladyjustice260_570-2.gif

The Articles of Confederation State Powers States retain all powers not specifically granted to Congress in the Articles. Patrick Henry http://etc.usf.edu/clipart/0/25/henry_1_lg.gif

Triumph of the Articles Land Ordinance of 1785 Divided up and provided the Western lands for sale by the federal government. Ensured orderly development of the West. Provided a simplified plan for dealing with frontier defense. Set aside land in each new township for the building of schools. Draft of the Land Ordinance http://www.ohiohistorycentral.org/images/767.jpg

Triumph of the Articles Northwest Ordinance Drafted by Thomas Jefferson, set down into law how new states would be admitted into the Union. Northwest Territory http://content.answers.com/main/content/wp/en/9/9e/Northwest-territory-usa-1787.png

Triumph of the Articles Northwest Ordinance When 60,000 people settled into one of the political subdivisions, the territory could petition Congress to become a state. Slavery is prohibited. People living in the territories are to be considered citizens of the United States and not treated as second-class citizens. Northwest Ordinance http://www.loc.gov/rr/program/bib/ourdocs/Images/northwest.gif

Problems Under the Articles Border Problems with Britain & Spain Spain and Florida, Alabama, and Mississippi. Spain captures American territory (the city of Natchez). Closes the Mississippi River to American commerce, hurting Western farmers. France regains control from Spain in 1800 through a treaty. Spanish Louisiana Regiment http://www.somosprimos.com/sp2005/spoct05/Louisianasoldiers..JPG

Problems Under the Articles Foreign Trade Was excluded from the British imperial trade union. Policy of mercantilism still exists, Britain shifts its focus on its other colonies. Merchants in New England suffer because they cannot participate in trade. British merchants flood American markets with cheap goods. Creates a depression in America as many domestic industries fold. Seal of the British East India Company http://www.fitzmuseum.cam.ac.uk/gallery/East-West/images/India_04_obv.gif

Problems Under the Articles Shays’ Rebellion Massachusetts legislature is determined to pay its debt by collecting back taxes, seizing the land of debtors, and sending people to prison. Poor western farmers organize under war veteran Daniel Shays and forcibly prevent courts from holding sessions. Impact: Many Americans feel that the nation is on the brink of collapse. Shays’ Rebellion http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/d/d7/Shays.jpg