9.1 Forming a Union pp. 250-254

Objectives: Identify the nation’s first constitution. List the strengths and weaknesses of the Articles of Confederation.

The Preamble

So that you don’t have to do this . . .

. . . we’re going to learn this (Preamble Song)

A. Wartime Government (p. 250) In May 1776 Congress urged the colonies to replace their colonial charters with new constitutions, or plans of government. Colonists considered written constitutions important because they would spell out the rights of all citizens. They would also set limits on the power of government.

B. Rights of Citizens (pp. 251-252) For the most part, laws restricted citizenship to white male property owners. It became difficult to claim that “all men are created equal” in a society with enslaved people; by 1804 every state north of Maryland had passed laws freeing enslaved African Americans. Most state constitutions included a bill of rights that spelled out certain rights the states had to recognize and protect.

C. A National Government (p. 252) In 1777 the Continental Congress completed and passed the Articles of Confederation, our first national constitution, which would go into effect after every state ratified, or approved, it. But many states refused to ratify it because of disputes over western land claims. These disputed claims involved the area that stretched from the Appalachian Mountains to the Mississippi River.

D. Articles Ratified (p. 253) Finally in 1781, Virginia agreed to give up its land claims and the last state ratified the Articles. The Articles established a loose alliance of states rather than a strong central government. Most people feared a strong central government, so they purposefully created a weak national government under the Articles of Confederation.

E. The Articles of Confederation [Tree Map] Strengths (Congress could . . .) Weaknesses Declare war No executive branch (President) Raise an army and navy No court system Make treaties Each state, regardless of size, had one vote Borrow money No power to collect taxes Establish a postal system Textbook p. 254

Review: 1. Define constitutions— 2. After the Revolution, what group was the only one to enjoy the full benefits of citizenship? 3. What was the name of our first national constitution? 4. Define ratify— 5. What were three weaknesses of the Articles of Confederation?