Chapter 2 Section 3 Mr. Plude

Articles of Confederation 1777 Second Continental Congress The Articles of Confederation Plan for a National Government

Articles of confederation

First National Government Articles of Confederation New model of government Build “firm league of friendship” among States retained “sovereignty, freedom and independence” June 12, 1777: Articles of Confederation adopted Had to be ratified before going into force

First National Government Delay in Ratification Disputes over control of western lands Small states feared large states with claims to western lands would overpower them. Articles allowed Confederation control of western lands. Articles ratified in 1781

Powers of National Government Created weak national government No national court system One-house Congress (Unicameral) Could act on matters of common interest Admit new states Settle disputes Coin money Raise army Declare war Conduct foreign policy

State Powers Collect taxes Enforce national laws Contribute funds to national government as they saw fit States retained all powers not specifically given to Congress (10th Amendment)

Weaknesses of the Articles No Executive Branch Could not carry out Congress’s laws Could not execute policy

Weaknesses of the Articles No National Court system State courts to applied national laws Articles denied Congress power to tax Could not pay war debt Could not regulate trade

Weaknesses of the Articles Congress and States could coin money Devalued money creating barrier to trade Obstacles to economic development Congress required to have 9 of 13 states to ratify laws One state could raise objections to block changes in Articles

Pressures for Stronger Government Northwest Ordinance 1787: Northwest Ordinance planned for settling Northwest Territory Included areas now in Illinois, Indiana, Michigan, Ohio, Minnesota and Wisconsin—disputed western lands that had delayed ratification of the Articles Created system for admitting new states, banned slavery, included bill of rights

Pressures for Stronger Government Dangers and Unrest -Most pressing problem: war debts -1783: Congress tried to approve tax on imports but act never ratified and government went broke -Postwar depression struck -States pursued own interests, flouting national laws; like “13 sovereignties pulling against each other”

Pressures for Stronger Government Shay’s Rebellion September 1786: rebellion of Massachusetts farmers facing prospect of losing land Revolutionary War Captain Daniel Shays led attacks on courthouses to prevent judges from foreclosing on farms.

Pressures for Stronger Government Shay’s Rebellion Shay’s Rebellion swelled to nearly 2,500 by 1787. Massachusetts legislature asked Congress for help; Congress had no money or forces Shay’s Rebellion showed how feeble the Confederation Congress was and hastened moves to revise the Articles.

Pressures for Stronger Government Calls to Revise the Articles March 1785: Washington invites representatives from Virginia and Maryland to his home at Mount Vernon to discuss resolving trade dispute. Led to meeting to discuss regulating commerce between all the states

Pressures for Stronger Government Calls to Revise the Articles February 1787: James Madison persuades the Confederation Congress to endorse meeting for “purpose of revising the Articles of Confederation.” May 1787: meeting to strengthen Articles held in Philadelphia