Articles of Confederation US History

Do Now: “We have it in our power to begin the world over again. A situation, similar to the present, hath not happened since the days of Noah until now. The birthday of a new world is at hand.” – Thomas Paine, February 14, 1776 According to this excerpt and the colonists experience with King George III, what type of government do you think the colonists are going to create?

Each state had its own constitution Self-governing colonies encouraged people to think of the colony as the primary political unit. They wanted to form 
a republic where citizens vote for elected leaders 
to represent them But, the USA needed 
a national gov’t to do things that states could not, like sign treaties 
& form a military

Articles of Confederation Two levels of government share fundamental powers- State and National Government would loosely connect the states under a weak national government Articles established a “firm league of friendship” among the states One vote from each state 9 out of 13 states had to agree to pass a law

Powers Granted to Government under the Articles of Confederation Declare war and make peace Make treaties with foreign countries Establish an army and navy Appoint high-ranking military officials Print, and borrow money Hear disputes among the states related to trade or boundaries

Powers Denied to Government No power to raise funds for an army or navy No power to tax, impose tariffs, or collect duties No executive branch to enforce laws No power to control trade among the states No power to force states to honor obligations No power to regulate the value of currency

Northwest Ordinance In it Congress provided a procedure for dividing the land into territories The territory needed to have 5,000 free males that owned 50 acres of land When the territory had 60,000 people.. It could become a state

Simulation One British soldiers are preparing to attack Philadelphia. We are in desperate need of troops from the states. George Washington: Oh my goodness. There are British soldiers preparing to attack the city of Brotherly love, Philadelphia. Our dearest congress, we are in desperate need of troops from the state for protection. Colonist #1. Can you get your state to send some soldiers to aid in our defense’ Congressmen #1: Unfortunately there is nothing we can do. It is up to individual state to prove an army for the common defense Colonist #1: So, if you are all unwilling to send us soldiers, we are virtually defenseless! Our nation is in great danger!

What are you observing in the simulation   What are you observing in the simulation Why was this a problem for the United States? Simulation 1

Without funding, the road will not be built Simulation Two Alexander Hamilton: I would like to propose the building of a national road to and from Philadelphia. We need this so that delegates can get to meetings more easily. This will also help states trade with each other, which will help our economy grow. Alexander Hamilton: Can you see if you can get your states to send money to the federal government for this project? Congress: We’ve discussed the matter with our states, and they do not want to many unnecessary money to the federal government. As independent states, we have plenty of economic problems of our own. Without funding, the road will not be built

What are you observing in the simulation   What are you observing in the simulation Why was this a problem for the United States? Simulation 2

Directions: At each station, read the primary source excerpt. With your partners, discuss how the lack of federal power is harming the early United States. Make note of your conclusion in the corresponding box.

After trade begins Washington will stop trading. Simulation Three After trade begins Washington will stop trading. George Washington: Stop! This is clearly not working out. Alexander Hamilton: the Money is worthless and there seems to be no fair way for the states to sell goods to each other. Our economy will not be able to grow! We need a single currency for all the states.

What are you observing in the simulation   What are you observing in the simulation Why was this a problem for the United States? Simulation 3

Station 1: The individual states did not listen to the Congress.

Station 2: Congress could not raise an army, so foreign nations did not fear or respect the United States.

Station 3: The federal government could not print money Station 3: The federal government could not print money. One state’s currency had no value in the next state, and very little in its own.

Station 4: The federal government could not raise taxes from the states, so other countries stopped lending.

Station 5: Some states sometimes did not participate fully in Congress.

Station 6: Some feared a tyrant would gain power because the federal government could not guarantee safety and security.