The Articles of Confederation

Confederation A league or alliance Permanent union of sovereign states for common action in relation to other states

Articles of Confederation 1777 Continental Congress adopted Laws to govern US Needed all 13 states to ratify before it could take effect 1777-1778: 11 states 1779: Delaware March 1, 1781: Maryland (Effective Date) Limited national government Most power with states

Positives United the country during the Revolutionary War Negotiated peace treaty with terms favorable to US Created a system for debt reduction Opened up most of Appalachian Mountains for settlement Passed Northwest Ordinance of 1787 Entry of new states

Negatives Only one branch of government Congress made up of delegates from states Served as Legislative and Executive Did not have power to tax – had to ask each state for money National Debt - $50 million

Negatives Each state had own currency Government money was not backed by gold or silver - worthless States had individual tariffs – states taxed each other Had to ask states for troops - no troops to enforce laws Could not help settle disputes because no power to enforce decisions

Shay’s Rebellion

Negatives Difficult to Amend 13 out of 13 states Difficult to pass laws 9 out of 13 states