After Independence -13 individual colonies with 13 different governments -very loose association of the 13 states in a confederate style government that was totally unwritten -Within a few years all Colonies changed charters into state constitutions= states

State Governments -every state wrote its own constitution (or form of Gov’t) -all had three branches 1.legislative (Pass laws) 2. executive (military) 3. Judicial (make sure laws are carried out) -guaranteed certain rights in the bill of rights Examples: trial by jury & protection of private property

Need for Cooperation: Why should all the colonies unite under one Government!? 1. Revolutionary War ~ $ War cost lots of money 2. Strength of the British military ~13 small forces = no match to them 3. weakness of the colonial militias ~not as well trained compared to a whole nation fighting together as one

National Government -would need a method of cooperation -limited control would be given to a central government *they lacked faith in powerful gov’t, why? -would not be able to control the 13 states .... All these reasons and more- the 2nd Continental Congress made plans for a UNION of the states -Articles of Confederation signed in 1781 – Our first attempt at a national government

Articles of Confederation -1 house legislature -1 vote per state -9 of 13 state Legislators required to pass laws -controls the military (But NO ONE person is really over the military) -power to make treaties -Land Ordinance 1785 -lands past the Appalachians were declared new territories -NW Ordinance 1787 -banned slavery in NW areas and set up process of adding additional states

Articles of Confederation -1 house legislature -1 vote per state -9 of 13 required to pass laws -controls the military -power to make treaties -Land Ordinance 1785 -lands past the Appalachians were declared new territories -NW Ordinance 1787 -banned slavery in NW areas and set up process of adding additional states

Weaknesses -could not enforce laws- no Executive Branch -could not tax Congress could ask states for money, but not demand it -no executive branch- no one over the military -no court system – no one to enforce or interpret laws -could not regulate trade between states

Time to get creative… Create something showing the weakness in the Articles of Confederation Your creation must include 4 specific weaknesses of the Articles Ideas: draw something, make a bumper sticker, cartoon, poem, song, dance, turn an everyday object into something weak Whatever format you choose, it should have something to do with weakness

Future Problems -taxation problems - During the Revolutionary War Congress had to BORROW money to help pay for it! –Heavily in Debt- 2 years to repay- State Gov’ts in debt as well Tax Citizens heavily Sparks Resentment farmers are out of Business Taxed Imported Goods= hurt trade

Shays’ Rebellion -Daniel Shay was a farmer in debt Shays’ Rebellion -Event that occurred when Massachusetts farmers revolted over high state taxes and caused people to realize the weakness of the government Americans feared the Government could not protect their safety -Daniel Shay was a farmer in debt Mass. Courts threaten to take Farm away “state had no right to punish him for their problem” – Shays’ claim Arm 1,200 farmers- revolt on federal arsenal Quickly stopped: BUT BIG Wake up CALL!

What we learn from Shay’s Rebellion Many people began arguing for a stronger National government- like G.W. The Articles of Confederation created: trade barriers inability to pass laws lack of strong executive (someone in charge) 1787 – 12 states sent delegates to a meeting in Philadelphia to revise/ change the Articles of Confederation