Unit 2: Tyranny & Revolution Lesson 2.3: The Articles of Confederation

How did the political, economic, and social turning points of the Revolutionary Era shape American ideals of tyranny and revolution? Essential Question

Activation Describe how Great Britain ruled the colonies. What changes do you think Americans want to make now that they have gained independence? What do you think a new government needs? Activation

Beginning Governments Americans were wary of establishing a strong central government after what they had faced at the hands of Great Britain. In November 1777, the Articles of Confederation were adopted. A plan for a loose union of states under Congressional authority. Beginning Governments

The Articles of Confederation Established an extremely weak central government. Once a year, each state would send a delegate to the capital. This group was the ENTIRE government. (Literally all of it: executive, legislative, and judicial). The Articles of Confederation

This “Confederation Congress” had the following rights: Could declare war. Raise armies. Sign treaties. It could NOT: Unable to impose taxes. Denied the power to regulate trade.

The Articles of Confederation relied on states to fund the federal government. Raised money by selling land west of the Appalachian Mountains.

Analyze the weaknesses of the Articles of Confederation. What about the weaknesses makes it apparent that this for of American government was ineffective and why? Assessment Prompt 1

Created a way to survey the lands west of the Appalachian Mountains. Created townships, six miles square, which were divided in to 36 equal sections. Land Ordinance of 1785

Northwest Ordinance of 1787. Created the basis of governing the new territories. States would have a congressionally appointed governor, secretary, and three judges. When the population reach 60000, they could apply for statehood. Guaranteed certain rights of people in the territories: Freedom of religion, trial by jury, and property rights. Excluded slavery. Northwest Ordinance of 1787.

Because the Confederation did not regulate trade, each state was able to set up its own laws and taxes regarding trade. States did so hoping to prevent the British from exploiting different trade laws. They also levied taxes on each other. Each state began to act as an independent entity. Problems with Trade

Economic Crisis Remember, war is EXPENSIVE. As the war ended and trade declined with Britain, the US entered in to a severe recession. States, along with merchants and planters, were in huge debt. Inflation, or a decline in the value of money, began. Beginning of the issue of paper money. Economic Crisis

How did the problems with trade contribute to the rising inflation post-American Revolution? Why is this significant? Assessment Prompt 2

Problems with Diplomacy British lenders loaned American merchants money during the Revolutionary War. The Treaty of Paris allowed Britain to recover those debts in American courts. The confederation though had no power to compel the states to comply with this. Problems with Diplomacy

American courts tended to side with the American debtors. As a result, the British forces continued to occupy posts inside American territory.

Spain began to view the US as a rival for territory within the North American borders. Georgia was the first dispute in which Spain tried to pressure Americans to accept its placement of the state border. The U.S. refused and Spain closed its access for American goods at the mouth of the Mississippi River. Hurt frontier farmers who used the river for trade.

Shays’s Rebellion Massachusetts 1786 The state government raised taxes instead of issuing paper money to pay off its debts. Farmers were hit the hardest and many lost their land. Farmers in the western part of the state rebelled in August 1786. Closed several courthouses & marched to the state supreme court. Shays’s Rebellion

January 1787: Daniel Shays and around 1200 men went to a state arsenal intending to take weaponry and then march on Boston. The governor sent a force to defend the arsenal. Shays arrived first and attacked the militia defending the arsenal. Four farmers died; the rest scattered.

Wealthy Feared that democracy would weaken property rights Feared the state would take property from the wealthy. Viewed the rebellion as a sign that the republic was at risk. Middle Class/Poor Argued the need for a strong central government. Current conditions caused the rebellion!

How is Shays’s Rebellion a turning point in American history? Is it a political, economical, social, or cultural turning point? Assessment Prompt 3

Activity https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YOR9O9mUObE After watching this short video, complete the Shays’s Rebellion Worksheet with your group. Activity