Where we left off… Colonists resisted British policy & declared their independence Colonists defeat the British in the War for Independence 1783 Treaty of Paris => independence + land to Miss. river + debts Now colonies face daunting task of creating a nation

Articles of Confederation (1781-1787) New Government Articles of Confederation (1781-1787) 13 Articles laying out the powers of the state & national government Second Continental Congress approves it in 1777 Doesn’t go into effect until EVERY state ratified it March 1781: Maryland is the last colony to approve it

Colonial Experience with England Created… Fear of Strong Central Government Fear of a Government Far Away = Weak National Government

Articles of Confederation League of independent states that come together for some common purpose Alliance Each state remains sovereign (independent government) “League of Friendship” All 13 independent states agree to give certain powers to central government Central govt is called Continental Congress

Problems with the Articles of Confederation The weakness of the national government prevented it from dealing with the hard times the new nation faced. 1. Foreign issues 2. Domestic issues

Foreign Relation Issues Problem #1: England refuses to evacuate military forts in Northwest Why? States break 2 promises agreed upon in the Treaty of Paris (1783) 1. Won’t allow Loyalists to restore confiscated property 2. Won’t repay debt owed to British merchants Problem #2: In 1784, Spain closed the Mississippi River to Americans -Treaty of Paris: agreed to keep it open Congress too weak to resolve these challenges!

Domestic Issues 1. Lack of National Unity States pursued their own interests rather than those of the nation as a whole b. Unanimous vote to pass amendments c. Each state only gets one vote in Congress, despite population i.e. Georgia population = 23,375 = 1 vote Massachusetts pop. = 235, 308 = 1 vote National Debt after American Revolution Congress cannot enact taxes to repay foreign loans Congress had to ask for money from the states 3. Creditors (lenders) vs. Debtors (borrows)

Problem with States Printing their own $$$ Creditors (loan $) - Desire high taxes so the state can repay them (Amer. Rev.) - Take debtors to court & win… - Don’t want states printing new money (inflation) Debtors (borrow $) High taxes send farmers in debt. Property is confiscated - Want the states to increase the supply of money to lesson the value and pay debtors with cheap currency

Strengths & weaknesses -no power to enact or collect tax -9 out of 13 to pass any law -1 vote per state -no national court -no executive Strengths: land laws (Land Ordinance of 1785)

Successes of the Articles of Confederation Successful completion of the revolution Treaty of Paris (1783) Depression after the Revolution ends by 1787 Northwest Ordinance (1787) Congress provided procedure for dividing up land Northwest of the Ohio River (including section for schools) Set up requirements for statehood

Articles of Confed. Summary Big problem: Too much power is given to the states.

Shay’s Rebellion 1786-1787 Def: Farmers protest that caused panic and dismay throughout the nation and some of its leaders Daniel Shay, farmer & war veteran >> heavy debt, tax >>close courts! Mob action: Shay leads army of farmers to close courts 1,200 strong army march toward arsenal in Springfield, MA State militia put down rebellion…4 rebels killed, rest scattered

Shay’s Rebellion cont.

Shay’s Rebellion cont. Consequences: Panic & Dismay: Every state has debt-ridden farmers!! Leaders fear nation is about to disintegrate: “Thirteen sovereignties pulling against each other, and all tugging at the federal head will soon bring ruin on the whole.” - GW ***Call for convention to discuss problems of Art. of Confed. Convinced 12 states to send delegates to the Constitutional Convention in May 1787.

Shay’s Rebellion (1786) -Massachusetts farmers hit bad by taxes & creditors -Petition state legislature, but no response -Reaction: Farmers Rebel -September, 1786: Mob forces 2 court houses to close to prevent confiscation -Gov. of Mass. sends 600 militiamen to protect state Supreme Court -January 26, 1787: Demands not met -Daniel Shay organizes rebellion -1,200 men (debtors & veterans) -Lead to federal arsenal -Gov. of Mass organizes resistance -4,000 men (merchants) -defend arsenal -Result: 4 rebels were killed -Rebellion Ends: February 1787

Effect of Shay’s Rebellion Constitutional Convention (Philadelphia) -12 out of 13 states send representatives -Meet from May 25-September 17, 1787 -55 delegates (only 42 stay) -Purpose: Initially, discuss changes to the Articles of Confederation, however, once there, they decide to write a whole new constitution! -Key Issue: Increase the power of the central government