The Articles of Confederation J.A.SACCO

The End of the American Revolution? “The American Revolution is only the first act of the play”

Republican Ideology? Republicanism: political leaders receive authority to make and enforce laws from the public who vote/must be controlled by the people or freedom and liberty is in danger Reject monarchy/hierarchical authority During the Revolutionary War most states wrote their own Constitutions Society based on virtue/factions must be avoided Depends on people doing the best thing for all the people (Locke)- if this breaks down the republic is in peril

Theory of “republican” government Essentials of a “republican” government Hold gov’t officials closely accountable Limit the powers of government with written constitutions

Theory of “republican” government Written Constitutions needed! Sovereignty with people where their ideas are embodied in a written constitution Gov’ts function within clear constitutional limits

Theory of “republican” Government Holding Government officials accountable! Power given to people embodied in state governments Power of state governors limited State governments divided into three branches Bill of Rights included in state constitutions New national government would be weak with limited powers Land requirement ends- to vote hold public office/only have to pay tax Jefferson’s “Va. Statute for Religious Freedom” (no official church/non-tax supported church)

The Articles of Confederation Reflects the worries/experiences of colonies under British rule. To ensure republican ideology created in the state constitutions, must limit the power of the national government

The Articles of Confederation Led by John Dickinson, with the help of Benjamin Franklin, a committee drafted a plan for a “loose” union Document that creates an association of states while guaranteeing each state its “sovereignty, freedom and independence” States have control of the Power!

The Articles of Confederation Established 13 colonies united in a league of independent states A national congress called the Confederation Congress to make laws for the good of the nation. Each state given one vote in Confederation Congress

Powers Of the Confederation Congress Declare War Make treaties Regulate currency Borrow money Establish a postal system Manage Indian affairs Settle disputes between states

Successes of the Articles of Confederation Land Ordinance of 1785 Northwest Ordinance of 1787 Define each!

Land Ordinance of 1785 Land Ordinance of 1785: divided western land into townships (6mi. Sq.), eventually sold at a dollar an acre, reserved one section for public schools

Land Ordinance of 1785

NW Ordinanance of 1787-Steps to Statehood Territories have a governor appointed by Congress When a territory has 5,000 eligible voters they can send a nonvoting member to Congress Once a territory has 60,000 free inhabitants it is eligible for statehood and can draft a constitution Congress approves the constitution and the territory becomes a state Freedom of speech, religion, trial by jury, prohibited slavery, encourage public education

Northwest Ordinance of 1787

The United States in 1787