THE ARTICLES OF CONFEDERATION… FROM 13 STATES TO A UNIFIED NATION….

STATE CONSTITUTIONS PRIOR TO THE REVOLUTIONARY WAR THE STATES HAD BEGUN TO WRITE THEIR OWN STATE CONSTITUTIONS. THESE PLANS FOR GOVERNMENT WOULD BEGIN TO PROVIDE PROTECTION FOR THE NATURAL RIGHTS OF THEIR CITIZENS. NEW HAMPSHIRE – THE FIRST COLONY TO HAVE THEIR OWN CONSTITUTION – 1776.

INDIVIDUAL RIGHTS PROTECTED STATE CONSTITUTIONS INCLUDED: A. LEGISLATURE ELECTED BY THE PEOPLE TO MAKE LAWS. B. BICAMERAL SYSTEM – LEGISLATURE DIVIDED INTO 2 HOUSES (SENATE – HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES). C. LIST OF RIGHTS –TO PROTECT NATURAL RIGHTS….LOCKE, D. SEPARATION OF POWERS … 3BRANCHES OF GOVERNMENT TO SHARE POWER….MONTESQUIEU…..

13 INDEPENDENT NATIONS??? EACH STATE READY TO GOVERN THEMSELVES. PRINT THEIR OWN CURRENCY (MONEY) COULD NOT SUPPORT OR RAISE AN ARMY FOR PROTECTION FROM THE BRITISH DURING THE AMERICAN REVOLUTION. AGREE TO CREATE A “CONFEDERATION OF STATES” TO FIGHT THE WAR AND ESTABLISH A CENTRAL GOVERNMENT.

ARTICLES OF CONFEDERATION….1777 THE FIRST CONSTITUTION OF THE UNTED STATES OF AMERICA. SET UP A “LEAGUE OF FRIENDSHIP” AMONG THE COLONIES AND ALL 13 RATIFIED THE ARTICLES BY 1781. CREATED A 1-HOUSE LEGISLATURE WITH EACH STATE GETTING 1 VOTE EACH. CONTROLLED THE ARMY FIGHTING THE BRITISH. POWER TO NEGOTIATE AND TRADE WITH FOREIGN NATIONS.

WEAKNESSES OF THE ARTICLES OF CONFEDERATION CONGRESS HAD NO POWER TO TAX. CONGRESS HAD NO POWER TO REGULATE TRADE. CONGRESS HAD NO POWER TO ENFORCE THE LAWS.

WEAKNESSES OF THE ARTICLES OF CONFEDERATION… NO CENTRAL AUTHORITY TO MAKE DECISIONS ON GOVERNMENT POLICY. (NO PRESIDENT…..EXECUTIVE BRANCH OF GOVERNMENT). NO NATIONAL COURT SYSTEM TO INTERPRET FEDERAL LAWS OR MEDIATE DISPUTES BETWEENTHE STATES…..

WEAKNESSES OF ARTICLES OF CONFEDERATION… NO ABILITY TO MAKE CHANGES TO LAWS OR TO THE ARTICLES THEMSELVES…. A. REQUIRED 9 STATES APPROVAL TO PASS A LAW. B. REQUIRED UNANIMOUS APPROVAL – ALL 13 STATES – TO CHANGE THE ARTICLES OF CONFEDERATION.

The States did not have to do what the Federal Government said……

….even if the States did listen, all their money was different.

WHY DID THE FOUNDING FATHERS AND STATES CREATE SUCH A WEAK GOVERNMENT? WITH A PARTNER DISCUSS WHY YOU BELIEVE THE ARTICLES OF CONFEDERATION WERE WRITTEN AS THEY WERE AND WHY THEY DID NOT CREATE A STRONGER CENTRAL GOVERNMENT?

ECONOMIC PROBLEMS AFTER THE WAR… TAXES WERE RAISED IN THE STATES TO PAY FOR THE AMERICAN REVOLUTION. STATE GOVERNMENTS FELL INTO DEBT AND OWED LARGE AMOUNTS OF MONEY. THE CONTINENTAL CONGRESS, DURING THE WAR, BORROWED HUGE SUMS OF MONEY FROM FOREIGN COUNTRIES (FRANCE) AND COULD NOT PAY BACK THE MONEY AFTER THE WAR. STATES BEGAN TAXING IMPORTS – TRADE DECREASED, BUSINESSES COLLAPSED, JOBS WERE LOST.

SHAY’S REBELLION… Daniel Shays – former Rev. War soldier, owed money on taxes. Many of the soldiers were told they would not owe taxes for the time they were fighting in the war. 1,200 protestors attack a federal arsenal – gather arms to revolt. Federal troops march out – quell the rebellion. RESULT *** Clear message to Confederation Congress that something had to be done to strengthen the Articles.

https://youtu.be/1pbJHH9F9-Q

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OaKgLHy2eBA

A MEETING IS CALLED….. DELEGATES FROM 12 COLONIES SEND REPRESENTATIVES TO PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA TO “REVISE THE ARTICLES OF CONFEDERATION.”

ESSENTIAL QUESTION…. HOW DID THE WEAKNESSES IN THE ARTICLES OF CONFEDERATION LEAD TO THE WRITING OF THE CONSTITUTION? BE SURE TO INCLUDE AND EXPLAIN SPECIFIC WEAKNESSES IN YOUR ANSWER……