ARTICLES OF CONFEDERATION Pros and Cons

Government of America Before the Revolution Nonexistent – There was no national government prior to the Revolution Each colony operated its own government Little or no interaction with other colonies Looked after their own problems Had their own laws / governments (charters)

What were the Articles of Confederation? The nation’s “first constitution” written during the Rev War to created a central government uniting the nation in a “loose” confederation of independent states (1776-1777) The first constitution of the United States was not what we know today, but rather the Articles of Confederation The Articles aimed to set up an alliance between the 13 states rather than have one central authority figure or government Why would the newly formed U.S. want to avoid a strong central government? War for independence required cooperation among states The states were VERY suspicious of a strong central government, so they gave only limited power to the new government under the Articles of Confederation Articles of Confederation were adopted in 1777 and ratified in 1781

The Articles were intended to …. Create “ a firm league of friendship…for their common defense, the security of their liberties, and their mutual and general welfare.” States retained most of the power

Problems the New Nation Faced when the Revolutionary War Was Over (1783) The states and the Congress were deeply in debt The Congress had no power to tax Americans Paper money issued during the war was worthless The Continental Army had not been paid Inflation had driven up the price of goods in the colonies (190% to 500%) Per capita income during the war years fell (equivalent to the Great Depression) U.S. no longer enjoyed the protection of the British navy or trade with Great Britain Under the Articles of Confederation, the national government had almost no power to address the problems facing the young nation. 2

The Articles of Confederation America’s 1st Constitution 1781-1789 The Articles had 2 major achievements: Bringing the Revolutionary War to a successful conclusion Northwest Ordinance (plan for governing the western lands)

Northwest Ordinance: The Articles of Confederation's Major Achievement Created 3-5 new territories in Northwest Population of 5,000 may elect Assembly Population of 60,000 may petition for statehood Slavery outlawed in the new territories 13

Northwest Territory

The Articles of Confederation America’s 1st Constitution 1781-1789 Strengths Weaknesses Congress was given the power to: Declare War & Establish an Army/Navy No Power to Draft Soldiers

The Articles of Confederation America’s 1st Constitution 1781-1789 Strengths Weaknesses Congress was given the power to: Make Peace & Sign Treaties No Power to Enforce Treaties

The Articles of Confederation America’s 1st Constitution 1781-1789 Strengths Weaknesses Congress was given the power to: No Power to Collect Taxes from the States Borrow Money

The Articles of Confederation America’s 1st Constitution 1781-1789 Strengths Weaknesses Congress was given the power to: No Chief Executive No national court system No Power to Regulate Interstate Commerce No National Currency Difficult to Pass laws (2/3 vote)

The Articles of Confederation No Chief Executive No National Court System No Power to Draft Soldiers No Power to Control Interstate Commerce No Power to Enforce Treaties No Power to Collect Taxes from the States Difficult to Pass Laws (2/3 vote) No National Currency Difficult to Amend (Unanimous Vote Needed to Change Articles) Congress given the power to: Declare War Make Peace Sign Treaties Borrow Money Establish an Army & Navy Organize a Post Office