Experimenting with Confederation C & E

Key Terms Republicanism Confederation Land Ordinance of 1785 Northwest Ordinance of 1787

Key Concepts Characteristics of the Articles of Confederation Organization & governance of new lands

Americans Debate Republicanism Relationship btwn new states & nat’l gov’t – tough to define Colonies become states Belief in ind. states Loyalty to state Reluctant to unite under strong central gov’t Unity through Republic Democracy placed too much power w/ uneducated masses Chose republic Meant different things to people If gov’t allowed ind. citizens to pursue own ec. & pol. interests, the whole nation benefits

Americans Debate Republicanism State constitutions Limited power of gov’t leaders Guaranteed specific rights Free speech, religion, press Emphasized liberty rather than equality Reflected fear of centralized authority Voting rights differed Prop. Owners All white males

Continental Congress Debates What should be role of nat’l gov’t? States unequal in pop., size, & wealth Each state given 1 vote regardless of  New gov’t – Articles of Confederation 2 levels of gov’t share power Confederation = alliance

The Articles Nat’l gov’t had the power to: No separate executive dept. Declare war, make peace, & sign treaties Borrow money, set standards for weights & measures, est. postal service, & deal w/ Native Americans No separate executive dept. No nat’l court system Only legislative body Effective March 1781

Western Lands Land Ordinance of 1785 Northwest Ordinance of 1787 Plan for surveying new lands Northwest Ordinance of 1787 Procedure for dividing land into territories Set requirements for admission of new states Territorial governor appt’d by Congress 5,000 voting residents  temp const. & temp gov’t 60,000 in free inhabitants settlers write a state const. – must be approved by Congress Blueprint for future growth of nation

Problems Lacked nat’l unity Conf. Did not recognize difference in pop. of states Articles had to have consent of every state to be amended War debt from rev. was $190 million Congress lacked power to tax Congress asked states to impose tariff – tax on imports 1 state rejected it Unable to tax

Problems Borrowers vs. Lenders Foreign-Relations Creditors vs. debtors US could not repay debt to Brit. Merchants No compensation for Loyalist prop. Losses So… Brit refused to evacuate forts on Great Lakes Spain was on borders – threat to expansion Prob’s encountered by Congress dealing w/ foreign nations – revealed basic flaws in Articles

Weaknesses of the Articles of Confederation