The Articles of Confederation

Warm-up Describe 2 Strengths and 2 Weaknesses of a Monarchy…

What were the Articles of Confederation? The document that framed our First Government of the United States, written by the Continental Congress in 1777. Ratified in 1781 when Maryland became the last state to accept the Articles. Governed the Nation during the Revolutionary War.

What were the Articles of Confederation? The Articles of Confederation were an important first step to the government that we have today!

What were the Articles of Confederation? Under the Articles of Confederation, the STATE governments had more power than the national government. The reason the power was given to the states was that American’s were afraid of a national government becoming too powerful, like the one that they just liberated themselves from.

What were the Articles of Confederation? Powers that the National Government under the Articles of Confederation DID Have: The Power to Wage War (The American Revolution!) 2) The Power to Make Peace and Sign Treaties (The Treaty of Paris of 1783!) 3) The Power to Issue Money (To Pay Soldiers in the Army!)

What were the Articles of Confederation? Powers that the National Government under the Articles of Confederation DID NOT Have: Congress could not levy Taxes! (How will they get money to pay soldiers?!) 2) Congress could not enforce it’s own National Laws!

What were the Articles of Confederation? Here is what the Articles of Confederation looked like!

The Northwest Ordinance What did the Articles do Right? The Northwest Ordinance The young government had to decide what to do with the lands west of the Appalachian Mountains that were acquired in the Treaty of Paris of 1783. p. 230 (Ch 8 Lesson 1)

What did the Articles do Right? The Land Ordinance of 1785 The Land Ordinance developed townships that were six miles wide on all sides. All of these plots together were referred to as the Northwest Territory.

The Northwest Ordinance What did the Articles do Right? The Northwest Ordinance The Northwest Ordinance established how the new land would be governed and how to become a Territory, then a State!! 5,000 Free Males with 50 Acres of land: -Elected Assembly; Became a Territory 60,000 Free Males with 50 Acres of land: -Could apply for Statehood!

The Northwest Ordinance What did the Articles do Right? The Northwest Ordinance Besides the war,this is the ONE lasting effect from the Articles of Confederation. This is still the way that states are admitted to the United States today!

Weaknesses of the Articles The National Government under the Articles of Confederation was so weak and limited that it could not handle the large problems!

Weaknesses of the Articles Problems that could not be handled by the National Government: 1) Debt: The New Government had a large national debt from the American Revolution, and could not raise taxes to pay it:

Weaknesses of the Articles Problems that could not be handled by the National Government: 2) Could not enforce Laws. 3) Could not regulate trade between the states. 4) Required all 13 States approval to change Articles.

Results of Weaknesses of the Articles The Weaknesses of the Articles of Confederation helped lead to: SHAY’S REBELLION

Results of Weaknesses of the Articles SHAY’S REBELLION Shay’s Rebellion was an uprising in Massachusetts involving farmers that were in severe debt. At that time in Mass. you went to jail if you could not pay your debts or taxes. Farmers were upset that the government could not help them get out of debt and was putting them in jail.

Weaknesses of the Articles SHAY’S REBELLION A man named Daniel Shay, A Revolutionary War Veteran, led a group of 1500 farmers to a federal arsenal to take the weapons stored there. The State Militia defeated the Rebellion.

Results of Weaknesses of the Articles SHAY’S REBELLION The Result of Shay’s Rebellion was that many leaders began to see that the United States needed a stronger national Government.

R. I. P. Assignment: Eulogy For the Articles of Confederation On a sheet of notebook paper. You will write a eulogy for the Articles in paragraph form. Must provide 2 accomplishments of the Articles and 3 weaknesses. R. I. P. The Articles of Confederation Born Died 1781 1788 Our 1st attempt at a government.