Articles of Confederation

Start of the Articles Members argued on and off for more than a year before establishing the Articles of Confederation Then the states argued for 4 more years before approving the Articles of Confederation

Fears about the Articles Creating a national government that was too strong Some states would have more power than others in the national government

Set up of the Articles Continental Congress agreed that there was a need for a national government – made it weak Powers should be kept by the states National legislature No executive or judicial branch

Power States had the power to control any person in their state States had the power to collect taxes from the people – national government could request money from states 9 of 13 states had to agree in order for a decision to be made by the Continental Congress

Fear of too strong of central government Need for equal votes by states States could send several representatives to the Congress Each state only received one vote

Problems caused by Articles No money and no power to get it No power over the state governments and their citizens Unenforceable trade agreements Unfair competition among the states

Problems cont. Threats to citizens right to property Shay’s Rebellion 9 of 13 states had to agree to a bill before it became law 13 states had to agree to make any changes to the Articles No executive branch to carry out the laws of Congress

Shay’s Rebellion Farmers in Massachusetts had problems When could not pay debts, they lost homes, farms, and were thrown in jail Daniel Shay led several 100 farmers to the arsenal in Springfield to get weapons Failed to get weapons, but scared enough people and convinced them they needed a stronger national government

Strengths of the Articles Land Ordinance of 1785 Northwest Ordinance Extraditing criminals from the states Accept laws, records and court decisions of other states as legal

Land Ordinance of 1785 Land must first be surveyed – Township/Range system National Government kept 4 sections for use, rest was sold Money was used to pay for public schools and war debt

Northwest Ordinance of 1787 West of the Allegheny mountains – Northwest Territory Way for state to become part of the Union Congress appointed a governor and 3 judges When reached 5000 free adult males – elect legislature When reached 60,000 in population – write a constitution and become a state with equal standing