7.1 The Articles of Confederation

The Making of a Republic Congress asked states to organize their gov’ts so each state made its own constitution States ensured not to give too much power to one ruler (limit power of gov’t) States made a bicameral legislature (two houses) Keep power in hands of people (21 year old male who owned property or pays certain amount of taxes) Legislative most powerful branch of gov’t National gov’t becomes a republic (citizens rule through elected representatives) States couldn’t agree on what powers the republic should have – weak vs strong central gov’t

Articles of Confederation Adopted in Nov. 1777 Est. weak central gov’t Congress had limited power Could: conduct foreign affairs, maintain armed forces, borrow money, issue currency Could not: regulate trade, force citizens to join the army, impose tax Want to raise taxes?? Ask states for permission No Chief Executive of new gov’t so used congressional committees All states had to approve the Articles and any amendments Problems with this: all states had only one vote (made large states mad) Disputes over land also stopped states from wanting to approve (Proclamation of 1763 took away previously claimed land)

Gov’t for United States of America March 1, 1781 Confederation  Gov’t for United States of America Congress needs 9 state approvals to pass laws 13 state approvals to change Articles of Confederation Achievements: American-Britain Peace Treaty, expanded foreign trade, settling western lands

Policies for Western Land Treaty of Paris – Britain gave land north of Ohio River and west of Appalachian Mntns Settlers move onto this land Challenges: policies needed for western land, need process to become a state Ordinance of 1785: survey/sell lands north of Ohio River land divide into townships) – successful in settling land NW Ordinance 1787: land north of Ohio River/east of Mississippi River divided into territories – successful in settling land Territories needed 60,000 people to become state Bill of Rights – freedom of religion, trial by jury, no slavery (1st attempt to stop slavery) Land Act 1800: helped people buy land out west (buy now, pay remaining parts later)

Problems at Home & Abroad Continentals ($$) didn’t hold its value Depreciation of paper money while goods/food prices rose Debt – still owed money to American citizens/soldiers for American Revolution wars but nation didn’t have the money AND the states didn’t help repay debt AND Congress couldn’t tax Import Tax failed to pass state vote Foreign Issues: Britain blocking American ships from West Indies British troops still occupying land east of Mississippi River Agreement attempted but failed b/c Brits and Americans couldn’t agree Spain closed lower Mississippi River which stopped American shipping 1784 Agreement attempted but failed b/c of /southern state voting block Issues proved American needed stronger central gov’t

Assignment Pg 183 # 1-2 Pg 185 #-12 Pg 186 #1-2 Complete sentence. You may either write Q/A or restate Q within A.