The Articles of Confederation Lesson 1, Unit 2

Despite some problems, most delegates believed that a government under the Articles of Confederation was better than not having a central government at all. So, what kind of government did they create?

Discussion Questions How long did it take to adopt the Articles of Confederation? Why do you think it took so long? What do you think the drafters meant by “perpetual union” and “firm league of friendship”? Why might this be important? What significant powers did the states keep? What powers did the states give the central government? Who enforced the law under the Articles? Why do you think the word “united” is not capitalized when referring to the “united States”? How long did it take to adopt the Articles of Confederation? Why do you think it took so long? It took over three years to ratify. Students may not know this yet, but there were disputes over western lands. Also, 9 out of 13 states were needed for ratification. What do you think the drafters meant by “perpetual union” and “firm league of friendship”? Why might this be important? States disputed the term “perpetual”. President Lincoln on the eve of the Civil War thought this term meant that secession was illegal. In creating the confederacy, people had allegiance to their states more than the central government. What significant powers did the states keep? States kept most of their power: Each state was a free and sovereign state; Each state had its own judicial system; States had the power to levy and collect taxes; states also had the power to enforce the laws passed by Congress; States could send 2-7 representatives to Congress, but each state had one vote. What powers did the states give the central government? Power to petition or ask the states for money; to make and wage war; to appoint ambassadors; to establish maritime courts; authority to settle border disputes between states; and to regulate trade with Indian tribes. Who enforced the law under the Articles? The states. Why do you think the word “united” is not capitalized when referring to the “united States”? People saw their allegiance to the state over the central government. It is interesting to note that the US Constitution does capitalize the word “United”, but not so in the Articles. This reflects a difference in that states were prioritized over the central government under the Articles. It is also interesting to note that prior to the Civil War, the states referred to themselves collectively as a “union”. The word “nation” does not appear until after the Civil War.

State Governments Central Government Each state was a free and sovereign state Each state had its own judicial system Power to levy and collect taxes Power to enforce laws passed by Congress States could send 2-7 representatives to Congress, but each state had one vote Power to petition or ask the states for money To make and wage war Appoint ambassadors To enter into treaties Appoint officers to the army and navy   Establish maritime courts Authority to settle border disputes between states Regulate trade with Indian tribes Set up post offices and charge postage Central Government

An Unresolved Problem: Western Lands Some states claimed ownership of lands beyond the Appalachian Mountains (the boundary line drawn in the Proclamation of 1763). Use the map to answer the questions: Which states laid claim to western lands? Which state had no western lands? Why might this matter? The difference between those “landless” states and those with access to expand their borders mattered. Abundant land provided revenue for those states, which in turn increased those states’ political power.

Each Map Shows Counties Massachusetts Michigan South Carolina In the maps shown, Massachusetts and South Carolina county borders are more irregular than Michigan’s. This has to do with how land was surveyed before and after the Land Ordinance of 1785. The more regular shaped patterns appear in states that were admitted to the Union after the Land Ordinance was enacted. Turn and Talk What do you notice about these maps? What differences do you see? Why do think this happened?

Land Ordinance of 1785 ordinance - a law set forth by a governmental authority Set up a system for organizing the disputed western lands in the U.S. Territories were divided into townships. Townships were divided into 36 sections 1 square mile each. Congress would sell sections in order to raise revenue (money) to pay debt. One section in every township was to be used for public education or public schools.

Each Map Shows Counties Massachusetts Michigan South Carolina In the maps shown, Massachusetts and South Carolina county borders are more irregular than Michigan’s. This has to do with how land was surveyed before and after the Land Ordinance of 1785. The more regular shaped patterns appear in states that were admitted to the Union after the Land Ordinance was enacted. Questions: Based on these maps, which state(s) were affected by the Land Ordinance of 1785? What about the maps show evidence of this?

Under the Articles of Confederation There was also a Land Ordinance in 1787 called the Northwest Ordinance. It addressed a portion of the western lands. Send students to research in textbook or online using

The Northwest Ordinance of 1787 Established that the federal government, not the states, controlled the Northwest Territory. Guaranteed natural rights to settlers. Outlawed slavery there. Set up way for the territories to be divided later. One township in each territory was set aside for education. Provided a way for states to be admitted to the nation: 1. Territories had to have 60,000 settlers to be admitted AND 2. Territories needed approval from the federal government for admission as new states.

Turn and Talk Why might these ordinances be significant? How might they be connected to the Civil War? What part of the Northwest Ordinance was most significant? How might these ordinances affect the development of the United States as a country?

Respond to the Question below in your We the People Journal: How did the colonies govern themselves after declaring independence?