America After the Revolution and the Articles of Confederation

Knights Charge 10/12 What was America’s first Constitution called? How was the federal government set up? What could the federal government do? NOT do? What could the states do? What was the Northwest Ordinance of 1787?

Treaty of Paris Peace treaty signed ending American Revolution Gave Americans land up to the Mississippi River Granted Americans full independence

Effects of War 1. Independence 2. Problems a. Debt b. Destroyed property c. British troops on American soil d. Keep the Articles of Confederation e. Slavery?

Articles of Confederation Some quick facts… Passed in 1781 during the Revolution by the Continental Convention. Served as the first federal Constitution of the US Government during and after the war. As we all know… it didn’t last very long…

The Northwest Ordinance Passed by Congress under A of C Outlined way for territories to become states and join the union

Government under the A of C Congress could… Declare war Regulate trade with foreign countries Could NOT levy taxes All decisions were made by a unicameral Congress where each state had one vote… Was this fair???

Control trade with other states Government under A of C States could… Levy taxes Control trade with other states

Weaknesses of the Articles of Confederation Weak federal government… What does that mean? Unequal representation of big states vs. small states

Imagine this… What would the United States be like with no President, no supreme court, and every state operated apart from the other?

Shay’s Rebellion Farmers led by Daniel Shay upset about Mass. Government Subdued by Mass. Government Highlighted the weakness of the federal government