Articles of Confederation

Gov't of the Confederation Congress was central governing body Considered “ambassadors” from each state Each state could send 2-7 ambassadors Each state had only 1 vote

Powers of Congress Enter into treaties and alliances Est. control of armed forces Declare war and make peace Regulate coin $ but not paper Borrow $ from the people Create the post office Reg. Indian Affairs Set weights and measures Create courts for problems related to ships at sea Settle disputes between states, sometimes Citizens visiting other states will have the same rights & privileges in their states

Accomplishments State claims to western lands settled under NW Ordinance Won the American Revolution Negotiated Peace with Britain under Treaty of Paris 1783 Tested out principles of gov’t laid out in Dec. of Ind. Perhaps would not have arrived at Const.

Weaknesses Weak centralized gov’t. Made of ind. States that did not want to give up sovereignty Much of functioning gov’t depended on good will of states See Chart on pg. 47

Crisis Rev. War fighting ended in 1781 Peace not agreed upon until 1783 States fought and refused to support central gov’t GW quote from QofD 1784 Nation has ECN depression Debtors were often placed in prison Farmers were getting REALLY mad

Shays's Rebellion 1786 Shays was former Rev. War captain After war went home to farm; could not pay taxes, forced to sell Set up peaceful meeting with Ma Gov. Gov did not listen

Shays's Rebellion Shays and approx 2000 other farmers took county court houses and disrupted debtors trials Under Art. Of Confed, Fed gov’t could not get involved Lasted into winter and was finally stopped by Ma militia

Effects of Shays's Rebellion Scared POL and business leaders Made people realize need for strong national gov’t Met at Annapolis Convention and Hamilton and Madison convince others of need for strong central gov’t Delegate decide to meet and “revise” Articles of Confederation

Mystery Document Monday Name Who wrote the document? Who was it written to? (intended audience) What is the context of the document? (What is it about?)

2nd Period "Besides, sir, we have no election.  If we were base enough to desire it, it is now too late to retire from the contest.  There is no retreat but in submission and slavery!  Our chains are forged.  Their clanking may be heard on the plains of Boston!  The war is inevitable - and let it come!! I repeat it, sir, let it come!! "It is vain, sir, to extenuate the matter.  Gentlemen may cry, peace, peace; but there is no peace.  The war is actually begun!  The next gale that sweeps from the north will bring to our ears the clash of resounding arms!  Our brethren are already in the field!  Why stand we here idle?  What is it that gentlemen wish?  What would they have?  Is life so dear or peace so sweet as to be purchased at the price of chains and slavery? "Forbid it Almighty God - I know not what course others may take; but as for me," cried he, with both his arms extended aloft, his brows knit, every feature marked with the resolute purpose of his soul, and his voice swelled to its boldest note of exclamation - “Give me liberty, or give me death!"

5th Period THESE are the times that try men's souls. The summer soldier and the sunshine patriot will, in this crisis, shrink from the service of their country; but he that stands by it now, deserves the love and thanks of man and woman. Tyranny, like hell, is not easily conquered; yet we have this consolation with us, that the harder the conflict, the more glorious the triumph. What we obtain too cheap, we esteem too lightly: it is dearness only that gives every thing its value. Heaven knows how to put a proper price upon its goods; and it would be strange indeed if so celestial an article as FREEDOM should not be highly rated. Britain, with an army to enforce her tyranny, has declared that she has a right (not only to TAX) but "to BIND us in ALL CASES WHATSOEVER" and if being bound in that manner, is not slavery, then is there not such a thing as slavery upon earth. Even the expression is impious; for so unlimited a power can belong only to God.

6th Period Tho we felicitate ourselves, we sympathize with those who are trembling least the Lot of Boston should be theirs. But they cannot be in similar circumstances unless pusilanimity and cowardise should take possession of them. They have time and warning given them to see the Evil and shun it. -- I long to hear that you have declared an independency -- and by the way in the new Code of Laws which I suppose it will be necessary for you to make I desire you would Remember the Ladies, and be more generous and favourable to them than your ancestors. Do not put such unlimited power into the hands of the Husbands. Remember all Men would be tyrants if they could. If perticuliar care and attention is not paid to the Laidies we are determined to foment a Rebelion, and will not hold ourselves bound by any Laws in which we have no voice, or Representation. That your Sex are Naturally Tyrannical is a Truth so thoroughly established as to admit of no dispute, but such of you as wish to be happy willingly give up the harsh title of Master for the more tender and endearing one of Friend. Why then, not put it out of the power of the vicious and the