The Articles of Confederation Chapter 2 Section 3
Objective Identify and analyze weaknesses of the Articles of Confederation
Ratification “League of Friendship” All 13 had to approve 11 within first year Delaware February 1779 Maryland March 1, 1781 – Articles of Confederation
Structure of Government Unicameral Congress Delegates chosen yearly by states Powers: Make war and peace Foreign Diplomacy Make Treaties Borrow Money Set up Currency system Establish Post Offices Build a Navy Raise army Ask states for troops Settle disputes between states
State Obligations Obey Articles and acts of the Congress Provide funds and troops Recognize citizens from other states’ rights Extradition Go to Congress to settle disputes Allow open travel and trade
Weaknesses of the Articles No power to tax or regulate trade Laws required 9 of 13 states to agree Tough to accomplish Changing Articles took ALL 13 to agree to change
Effects of the Weaknesses Congress asks states for funds, could not generate enough revenue to operate States constantly argue Create treaties with other nations Raised own military Taxed goods from other states Had own currency Violence – Shay’s Rebellion Congress too weak to deal with problems
Articles to Constitution Maryland and Virginia Meet to work out dispute Commerce and Navigation on Potomac and Chesapeake Bay Alexandria, Virginia March 1785 Meeting moved to Mount Vernon George Washington’s home Meeting successful Virginia G.A. calls for meeting of all the states Wanted to set up federal plan for commerce
Meeting of the States Annapolis, Maryland Sept 11, 1786 Only 5 of 13 attend Set new meeting Feb 1787 Held at Philadelphia Meeting would become know as Constitutional Convention