The Articles of Confederation

The Story Continues Americans hoped a strong republic could be formed: “They (the people) are now planting a seed that will grow into a tree and whose branches will shelter the liberty of succeeding ages.”

Ideas about Government Americans drew from a range of political ideas to create their government

Ideas about Government English Law – limited power of kings through 2 documents Magna Carta English Bill or Rights

Ideas about Government The Magna Carta – King must follow the rules of law like others English Bill of Rights – king or queen cannot change taxes or laws without Parliament’s approval

Ideas about Government 2. Enlightenment – called for use of reason and belief in human goodness

Ideas about Government John Locke – Enlightenment philosopher who believed a social contract, or agreement existed between political leaders and the people they ruled

Ideas about Government John Locke’s contract: 1. government protects people’s unalienable rights - leaders that break law should be replaced 2. people in turn give up some rights to the government Life, Liberty, Happiness

Ideas about Government 3. Mayflower Compact - pilgrims plan of self- government 4. First constitution – Fundamental Orders of Connecticut - contained basic principles that state powers + duties of government

The State Constitutions Republicanism – government where citizens elect representatives 2. Limited Government – leaders obey laws and no one has total power

The State Constitutions 3. Protected individual rights of citizens Freedom of religion a. Virginia Statute for Religious Freedom - separation of church and state

The State Constitutions Suffrage – voting rights - usually only white men who owned property or paid taxes

The State Constitutions - only 7 states gave voting rights to African American men (taken away in 1860’s) - New Jersey only state to give voting rights to women (taken away in 1807)

The State Constitutions

Forming a Union National government or not? - some say would be too powerful - some say it was needed to hold country together

Forming a Union Committee of Thirteen – made of one member from each colony - their mission was to create a national constitution

Forming a Union Articles of Confederation – created national government (Confederation Congress)with each state having one vote - no president or court system

Forming a Union Confederation Congress had limited powers: 1. Make coins and borrow money 2. Make treaties with other countries and American Indians

Forming a Union 3. Congress can settle state conflicts 4. Congress can ask states for money and soldiers but cannot force them to

Forming a Union Articles of Confederation - ratified in 1781 by ALL 13 states - some say it created too weak of central government

The Northwest Territory Q: What to do with western lands? Land Ordinance of 1785 – system for surveying and dividing the public territory

The Northwest Territory Land Ordinance of 1785 1. Land split into townships 2. Township divided into 36 lots a. One lot for public school b. 4 lots for war veterans

The Northwest Territory Northwest Ordinance of 1787 – political system for region North of Ohio River - created Northwest Territory

The Northwest Territory The Northwest Territory – includes what is now Illinois, Indiana, Michigan, Ohio and Wisconsin

The Northwest Territory Northwest Ordinance b. When population = 60,000, then can draft constitution and become state

The Northwest Territory Northwest Ordinance 2. Public education to ALL citizens 3. NO slavery or forced labor