II. Origins of American Government Unit 2: Foundations of American Government

Bell Ringer Which government issued this currency? What problem did local currencies create?

III. The Critical Period Need something more permanent then the Continental Congress

A) The Articles of Confederation “a firm league of friendship” – ratified on March 1st, 1781 Articles of Confederation – US first official form of government – weak Ratification – formal approval Articles allowed each state to act as its own country

B) The Critical Period Treaty of Paris 1783 States bickered Made foreign agreements Taxed each other Own money Banned trade with each other Failed to fund the central government

Shay’s Rebellion Small farmers lost land as economic conditions worsened Captain Daniel Shay, led a rebellion in Massachusetts to closed down courts – couldn’t foreclose Next year, attacked an arsenal No one to put it down – no authority Finally, state put it down and Shay fled to Vermont

C) A Need for a Stronger Government Articles are not working (Shay) Mount Vernon meeting – Maryland and Virginia met to settle trade dispute – went well – called for a bigger one Annapolis – only 5 states showed up – called for another one in Philadelphia Philadelphia – met to revise the Articles of Confederation - now known as the Constitutional Convention

Review