Chapter 2 Section 3 The Articles of Confederation https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3KGG9afW7XY

1777 – committee appointed by Second Continental Congress presented a plan for permanent national government Basically continued structure and operation of government that currently existed March 1781 – all 13 states had ratified

“A firm league of friendship” The new government took the form of a confederation: each state kept “its sovereignty, freedom, and independence…” The states came together “for their common defense, the security of their liberties, and their mutual and general welfare.”

Government Under the Articles Unicameral – single-chamber Congress Committee of the States – one delegate from each state managed the government when Congress was not assembled No federal court system

Government Under the Articles Congress settled disputes among states Each state had one vote in Congress State legislatures selected its own representatives

Congressional Powers Make war and peace Send and receive ambassadors Enter into treaties Raise and equip a navy Maintain an army by requesting troops from the states

Congressional Powers Appoint senior military officers Fix standards of weights and measures Regulate Indian affairs Establish post offices Decide certain disputes among the states

Weaknesses of the Articles Created a weak national government Congress did not have the power to levy or collect taxes Congress did not have the power to regulate trade

Weaknesses of the Articles Congress could not force anyone to obey the laws it passed or to abide by the Articles Laws needed the approval of 9 of the 13 states Each state had only one vote

Weaknesses of the Articles Amending or changing the Articles required the consent of all states The central government did not have an executive branch No national court system

Achievements Establishment of a fair policy for the development of the lands west of the Appalachians Individual states could cede, or yield, land claims to territories west of the mountains to the central government

Achievements Land Ordinances The Ordinance of 1785 Allowed for survey and division of ceded western lands Northwest Ordinance of 1787 Territories were to be developed for statehood on equal basis with older states

Achievements Terms of the Treaty of Paris – 1783 Britain recognized American independence Land acquired from Britain enlarged the nation’s boundaries (Atlantic to Mississippi River; Great Lakes/Canada to northern boundary of Florida) Congress set up departments headed by secretaries, a precedent for the later creation of the Cabinet Affairs War Marine Treasury

Need for Stronger Government The structure of the central government could not coordinate the actions of the states effectively. States began to quarrel over boundary lines and trade issues, and grew increasingly jealous and suspicious of one another.

Growing Problems Some states began to deal directly with foreign nations, organize their own militia, and print their own money. Congress could do little about these matters--States often refused to support the central government financially, or any other way

Growing Problems 1787 – the government owed $40 million to foreign governments American soldiers still unpaid 1786 – economic depression left farmers and merchants in debt

Shays’s Rebellion Economic troubles led to rebellion Armed groups of farmers forced several courts to close in order to prevent farm foreclosures and the loss of their farms

Daniel Shays led a band that closed the MA state supreme court Gathered a force of 1200 men and advanced on the federal arsenal in Springfield MA militia put down the rebellion

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ah25qxM28nY

Amend the Articles!! 1. Identify human needs in the context of the larger society 2. Analyze how the weaknesses of the Articles of Confederation affected colonial society 3. Assume the identity of a delegate from one of the original 13 states and write 2 amendments 4. Bring before the class and vote