Articles of Confederation

Writing the Articles of Confederation At the time of the writing of the Declaration of Independence, John Dickinson was writing the Articles of Confederation – It will serve as the first constitution for the United States – Prior to adoption, Congress changes some of the Articles of Confederation to give more power to the states – It will be adopted by the Second Continental Congress in 1777 then submitted to the states for ratification (approval) – Articles of Confederation won’t be officially ratified until 1781 due to disputes over western lands, when Virginia and New York give up their claims to the western land the document is ratified

Firm League of Friendship “The said States hereby severally enter into a firm league of friendship with each other, for their common defense, the security of their liberties, and their mutual and general welfare, binding themselves to assist each other, against all force offered to, or attacks made upon them, or any of them, on account of religion, sovereignty, trade, or any other pretense whatever.”

Structure of Government The Articles of Confederation establishes the following type of government: – Only one branch of Government: Congress – Congress is unicameral (only 1 house) – Each state has just one vote – 9/13 states must agree to pass laws – To amend the Articles of Confederation a unanimous vote was needed

Powers of the National Government The Articles of Confederation granted the following powers to Congress – Wage war – Make treaties – Send diplomatic representatives – Borrow money Powers NOT given to the central government – Regulate commerce – Collect taxes – No executive power to enforce laws

What to do with New Territory Issue: What to do with land in the Old Northwest? – Mass, Conn, NY, VA, NC, GA claim the land – Other states are jealous (those states could sell land for revenue, those without would have to tax) – Congress pledges to dispose of land for the “common benefit” and create new states

The Northwest Territory Land Ordinance of 1785: land of Old Northwest would be sold, proceeds to pay off national debt – Surveyed prior to selling – Divided into townships, some was sold to benefit public schools Northwest Ordinance of 1787: how to deal with the new territories (colonies) – Territorial Stage: subordinate to the federal govt. – Statehood: 60,000 inhabitants – Slavery forbidden in this territory

Problems caused by the Articles of Confederation Financial Problems – War debts are left unpaid – States and Congress issue worthless money – Congress could not tax, had to request money Foreign Problems – European nations have no respect for a county that could not pay its debts or respond to a crisis – Spain is looking to take advantage in the west Domestic Issues – Protests over state taxes cannot be stopped by the federal government – State militias will have to stop them