Articles of Confederation

We Won! Now What? The Americans have won the war now what do we need to do? What decisions need to be made? The Americans have won the war now what do we need to do? What decisions need to be made? Type of Government? Type of Government? Governmental Power: Central Government or State Governments? Governmental Power: Central Government or State Governments? National Army? National Army? Citizens? Loyalists? Citizens? Loyalists?

State Constitutions Pennsylvania Pennsylvania 1 Legislative House; no governor1 Legislative House; no governor Vote: All (white) men over 21Vote: All (white) men over 21 Redistribution of property?! No!Redistribution of property?! No! Massachusetts Massachusetts 2 Houses (1 Elected, 1 Apportioned by Wealth)2 Houses (1 Elected, 1 Apportioned by Wealth) GovernorGovernor Vote: Based on Property OwnershipVote: Based on Property Ownership

The Articles of Confederation Congress can: Congress can: Regulate foreign affairs Regulate foreign affairs Declare War Declare War Manage Indian relations Manage Indian relations Congress cant: Congress cant: Raise troops Raise troops *Tax *Tax

The Articles of Confederation Finances Finances Robert Morris limited (no revenue) Robert Morris limited (no revenue) Currency Depreciation Currency Depreciation Debt Debt Newburgh Conspiracy (1783) Newburgh Conspiracy (1783) Land Policy Land Policy Land Ordinance of 1785 (640 acre sections) Land Ordinance of 1785 (640 acre sections) Northwest Ordinance 1787 Northwest Ordinance 1787 Statehood at 60,000Statehood at 60,000 Bill of RightsBill of Rights Excludes SlaveryExcludes Slavery

The Articles of Confederation Indian Relations Indian Relations Treaty of Ft. Stanwix (1784) - Iroquois land Treaty of Ft. Stanwix (1784) - Iroquois land Treaty of Hopewell (1785) - Cherokee Treaty of Hopewell (1785) - Cherokee Diplomacy Diplomacy Brits still hanging around… Brits still hanging around… Spain cuts off Mississippi Spain cuts off Mississippi Trade/Economy: Chaos! Trade/Economy: Chaos! Exports down Exports down Inflation Inflation Farmers in trouble… (debt) Farmers in trouble… (debt)

The Articles of Confederation Weaknesses of the Articles Govt couldnt create taxes Govt couldnt create taxes Govt couldnt regulate trade Govt couldnt regulate trade Each State had only 1 vote in Congress Each State had only 1 vote in Congress 2/3rds Majority was needed to pass laws 2/3rds Majority was needed to pass laws Amendments on laws need full approval Amendments on laws need full approval No executive branch to enforce the laws No executive branch to enforce the laws No judicial branch to settle disputes No judicial branch to settle disputes 13 separate states that lacked national unity 13 separate states that lacked national unity