The Confederation Era

The war is over, now what? America was now and independent nation having won the Revolutionary War, but now what? What would the country and the government look like?

The Articles of Confederation The Articles of Confederation was the name of the first government of the United States. It had been started back in 1776 in the Continental Congress, and finally approved by all the states in 1781.

The Articles of Confederation was weak, on purpose Americans were afraid of a strong national government. After all, they had fought a war over it. So, the government they decided on was weak. The national government under the Articles did not have the power to tax or enforce laws. The national government did have the power to wage war, but since they couldnt tax, there was no way to pay for it. The government could also issue money, but the states didnt have to use it. The states had their own money.

Weaknesses of the Articles Since the national government could not tax, and the national money was worthless, debt became a huge problem. Debt = owing money The biggest problem was that the soldiers who had fought the war, had not been paid, and they were mad. Most of the soldiers were farmers, and they were unable to pay their debts.

The Articles of Confederation Congress was given the power to: Americas 1 st Constitution Declare War & Establish an Army/Navy No Power to Draft Soldiers

The Articles of Confederation Congress was given the power to: Americas 1 st Constitution Make Peace & Sign Treaties No Power to Enforce Treaties

The Articles of Confederation Congress was given the power to: Americas 1 st Constitution Borrow Money No Power to Collect Taxes from the States

The Articles of Confederation Congress was given the power to: Americas 1 st Constitution Organize a Post Office

The Articles of Confederation Congress was given the power to: Americas 1 st Constitution No Chief Executive No national court system No Power to Regulate Interstate Commerce No National Currency Difficult to Pass laws (2/3 vote)

The Articles of Confederation Congress was given the power to: Americas 1 st Constitution Difficult to Amend (unanimous vote needed to change the articles)

The Articles of Confederation Congress given the power to: Declare War Make Peace Sign Treaties Borrow Money Establish an Army & Navy Organize a Post Office No Chief Executive No National Court System No Power to Draft Soldiers No Power to Control Interstate Commerce No Power to Enforce Treaties No Power to Collect Taxes from the States Difficult to Pass Laws (2/3 vote) No National Currency Difficult to Amend (Unanimous Vote Needed to Change Articles)

What is happening in the following picture? You are going to be looking at a picture in a few seconds? See if you can figure out what is going on in the picture. Look at the picture closely. Describe the people, objects, where the event is happening, and what is happening. (Who, what, where, and objects)

Farmers were taken into court, then to jail, and their land was taken away from them because they were in debt. In 1786, an armed revolt by farmers against the state government took place. The revolt was led by Daniel Shays. Shays Rebellion

The farmers began to forcibly prevent the courts from meeting so they couldnt take anyone elses land away or put them in jail. Early in 1787, the Governor sent 4,400 men against the rebels and the rebels were defeated. Shays and the other rebels were pardoned. (An official act of forgiveness)

Shays Rebellion showed the leaders of America that the Articles of Confederation were too weak, and a stronger national government was needed. Results of Shays Rebellion

Conclusion They feared that a strong central government would create tyranny, and stamp out the peoples natural God given rights. Why did the Founding Fathers Choose a Confederation plan of government?

Conclusion Why Did the Founding Fathers believe the Articles needed to be replaced by the US Constitution? The nation needed to function as ONE united country & not 13 small unorganized nations. Shays rebellion proved the need to strengthen the government.