Articles of Confederation Government: 1781-1787

North America After the Treaty of Paris, 1783

Background (FROM WORKSHEET) 2nd Continental Congress = assembly of delegates from 13 colonies Establish Continental Army and ??? Signed Declaration of Independence Articles of Confederation: loose alliance of 13 STATES Create a federal (national) government to Declare war only Handle foreign affairs Regulate trade with Natives Settle disputes between States (not internal disputes) Regulate coins but not paper money Post office, weights, measures

Fear: creating a national government that is too powerful Weaknesses Fear: creating a national government that is too powerful Support local government King threatened natural rights one large government in charge becomes too powerful, oppresses the people Solution: Create a weak national government Cannot arrest a PERSON Cannot collect taxes Cannot raise troops

a. States had bicameral legislatures (2 houses). 3. Who was in charge? a. States had bicameral legislatures (2 houses). b. States had strong governors with veto power. c. States had bills of rights to protect rights of citizens.

4. Accomplishments of Articles Established alliance with France Sign Treaty of Paris (1783) Northwest Ordinance = plan of for the newly acquired western territories previously unsettled Ohio, Indiana, Illinois, Michigan, Wisconsin, Minnesota Territory became a state if population > 60,000 Outlawed slavery in territories Gov sells land to help pay war debts

Perfect Squares! LAND Ordinance of 1785 Why does it matter? It was the first attempt to scientifically map out the new land. Land buyers pay government for land and it helps with war debt! Perfect Squares!

Why were the Articles of Confederation so weak? What we didn’t like about the British. . . Taxation without representation Large central government (monarchy) had all the power States always had to listen to the king All power was in the King’s hands. King could change the rules/laws any time So the Articles of Confederation… Federal government could not tax States didn’t have to follow laws and treaties. States had their own laws and didn’t have to follow any other states’ laws No executive branch or national court system. Any amendment required all 13 states

John Locke His ideas of natural or unalienable rights helped shape the ideas of the Declaration of Independence If the king does not respect the needs of the majority… people have the right to overthrow the king

Baron de Montesquieu Too much power = BAD! Enlightenment philosopher who believed that the powers in a government should be divided Gov’t should NOT be controlled by king… power should be divided Too much power = BAD!

1. Mon 2. Te 3. Squieu 1. Legislative 2. Executive 3. Judicial