Bell work: ISN page Create a three tab foldable. Use textbook pages 181 – 181 and readings from yesterday. Explain each of the following acts and/or ordinances. Ordinance of 1785 Northwest Ordinance Land Act of 1800
Problems Under the Articles of Confederation
Financial Problems Paper currency depreciated (fallen in value) and was worth almost nothing Prices of food and other goods soared leading to food riots in some places
Congress faced large debt from war and still owed soldiers pay for service States provided less than half of what congress asked them to contribute
American Money Why would it be important to have one standard form of money? (slides from online teaching options)
Import tax Import tax proposed to help pay national debt Rhode Island opposed the tax and plan failed – under Articles all states must approve a change
Relations with Britain Merchants complain Britain blocking trade with West Indies and other British markets British troops occupy forts in Great Lakes regions – had promised to withdraw under the treaty 1785 – John Adams sent to London to discuss problems
1785 – John Adams sent to London to discuss problems British unwilling to talk saying US did not honor promise to pay Loyalists for property taken from them during the war Congressed proposed states pay Loyalists; they refused and Congress could do nothing about it
Relations with Spain Spain wants to stop US expansion into their land (controlled Florida and lands west of the Mississippi River) Spain closed lower Mississippi River to American shipping preventing Western settlers from using it 1786 – trade agreement with Spain blocked by Southern states because it did not include the right to use the Mississippi River