Articles of Confederation 1781-1787 America’s First Government Created by the Second Continental Congress in 1777, approved in 1781

More like thirteen “Countries” Each colony became a state Each state was really an independent country. People were loyal to their state, not one big country.

State Governments Each state had its own government. More important than Congress Each state dealt with foreign countries on their own. Each state made its own money

States Work Together Each state sends representatives to Congress. Congress helps plan and direct the Revolutionary War However, Congress has no power over any state.

Weaknesses of the Articles of Confederation It was an agreement by the states to work together, also known as a “confederation”. Formed a very weak central (federal)government. No judiciary branch (no national court system) No executive branch (no President) One legislature, with little power. No power to tax anyone No power to regulate trade between the states Could not force anyone to join the Army

Congress Each State = 1 Vote Citizens of Each State Elects State Gov’t NH MA RI CT NY PA NJ DE MD VA NC SC GA Congress Each State = 1 Vote No Executive (king or President) No Judicial System (courts, judges)

Why a Weak Government? Parliament and the King had been too strong! The colonies had just rid themselves of such a government. An executive reminded them of a King, so none was created. They were afraid of creating a central government that would take away their rights.

Government Gridlock To pass a law, 9 of 13 states must agree Nearly 70%!! Few laws were passed To amend (change) the Articles of Confederation, all states must agree.

Land Issues Colonies won lots of new land. Each state claimed some of that land as theirs. The Land Ordinance of 1785 created townships that measured 6 miles by 6 miles.

Northwest Ordinance All states agree to give up claims to land in the west. System is created to add new states. Territories must have 60,000 residents before they could become a state. - New states have equal powers to old states. NW Territory Bill of Rights Prohibited slavery in the NW territory Guaranteed freedom of religion and Trial by Jury in the NW Territory

Call for Change Small number of people want change Reasons: Create a government that can do something! Fix many of the problems facing the states. Trade between the states was too unorganized Some Americans call for a convention in Annapolis, Maryland to discuss changes.

Annapolis Convention 1786 Annapolis, Maryland Only 12 reps from 5 states show. Delegates agree to meet again in Philadelphia in 1787 Goal is to fix the national government.

Shay’s Rebellion Colonists in Mass. angry over high taxes and the government taking their land. Farmer and former Continental Army soldier named Daniel Shays leads an armed rebellion against the state government of Massachusetts. The Articles Congress cannot raise funds for an army to stop the rebellion. Mass. finally raises an army and defeats Shay, four of his followers are killed by Massachusetts militia. Many people worried that the Articles government could not maintain law and order and decided that the Articles needed to be changed.

Successes of the Articles of Confederation It kept the country together during the revolutionary War It negotiated the Treaty of Paris of 1783 It passed the Northwest Ordinance It prohibited slavery in the Northwest Territory