Section 1: A Confederation of States, Objectives What form of national government did the Patriots create initially, and what events revealed that a new government was necessary? Explain how the states’ new constitutions reflected republican ideals. Describe the structure and powers of the national government under the Articles of Confederation. Summarize the Congress’s plan for the settlement and governance of western lands. List the main weaknesses of the Articles.

Congress encouraged the former colonies to create state constitutions. Explain how the states’ new constitutions reflected republican ideals. Congress encouraged the former colonies to create state constitutions. Although state constitutions varied, each provided for a republic where people voted for their representatives. Patriots disagreed over the design of these republics, especially over how much power to give the common people.

Explain how the states’ new constitutions reflected republican ideals. weak state governments with most of their power in a popularly elected legislature. unicameral or one house legislature with either a weak governor or none at all. a large House of Representatives with small districts so that the people had more control. Democratic Patriots like Thomas Paine wanted more power for common people. They favored:

a governor with broad powers. Explain how the states’ new constitutions reflected republican ideals. a governor with broad powers. bicameral legislature, with two houses. an upper house or senate made up of wealthy, well- educated gentlemen who would balance a lower house elected by the common people. Conservative Patriots like John Adams feared giving power to the common people. They favored:

None gave the vote to women or to slaves. Explain how the states’ new constitutions reflected republican ideals. There was also debate over who should vote. Democratic states like Pennsylvania allowed all male taxpayers over age 21 to vote. Conservative states preserved colonial requirements of property ownership for voting. None gave the vote to women or to slaves. In time, most grew more democratic with the lower house gaining more power.

Previously, colonies collected taxes for religious institutions. Explain how the states’ new constitutions reflected republican ideals. Most new state constitutions guaranteed freedom of religion. Previously, colonies collected taxes for religious institutions. Now, religious freedom and pluralism became the norm. The Virginia Statute of Religious Freedom set the example. It allowed for religious liberty free of state influence.

Congress drafted the Articles under John Dickinson of Pennsylvania. Describe the structure and powers of the national government under the Articles of Confederation. This first national constitution created a loose confederation or league of states in 1777. Congress drafted the Articles under John Dickinson of Pennsylvania. Congress’s power was limited to prevent the problems experienced under Britain. The Articles of Confederation was created by the Continental Congress.

Congress implemented and enforced laws. Describe the structure and powers of the national government under the Articles of Confederation. With the Articles, government power was limited. NOTES Congress implemented and enforced laws. Executive power was shared by committees. Each state had one vote in Congress. Minor issues were passed by a simple majority. Major issues, like declaring war, required 9 states. Amendments to the Articles required the agreement of all 13 states.

Congress had a limited role. Describe the structure and powers of the national government under the Articles of Confederation. Congress had a limited role. Congress could: Congress could not: Declare war or conduct foreign policy. Tax Administer relations with Indian nations. Regulate commerce between states or states and foreign nations NOTES There was also no federal court system.

Summarize the Congress’s plan for the settlement and governance of western lands. The Articles created a method to settle and govern the Northwest Territory.

Summarize the Congress’s plan for the settlement and governance of western lands. Surveyors divided the territory into a N-S and E-W grid to establish hundreds of townships. Each township was subdivided into one square mile (640 acre) squares to sell at $1 each. Many farmers couldn’t afford the $1 an acre, and some land speculators got special deals. The Land Ordinance of 1785 established a method to distribute public land.

The Land Ordinance of 1785 grid system is still evident today. Summarize the Congress’s plan for the settlement and governance of western lands. The Land Ordinance of 1785 grid system is still evident today.

Summarize the Congress’s plan for the settlement and governance of western lands. Northwest Ordinance of 1787 set up a system to govern territories and create states. NOTES Congress established a territorial government and appointed a governor. Settlers were guaranteed freedom of religion, trial by jury, and rights of common law. Once there were 5,000 men, an assembly could be elected. The appointed governor retained veto power. Once there were 60,000 residents, a territory could apply for statehood. It abandoned the British model of keeping colonies permanently subordinate.

required a republican constitution. promised settlers basic freedoms. Summarize the Congress’s plan for the settlement and governance of western lands. barred slavery. required a republican constitution. promised settlers basic freedoms. ignored the rights of Native Americans. resulted in five new states: Ohio, Indiana, Illinois, Michigan, Wisconsin, and part of Minnesota. NOTES The Northwest Ordinance:

Summarize the Congress’s plan for the settlement and governance of western lands.

Spain forbade American trade with New Orleans. List the main weaknesses of the Articles. Britain denied American ships access to the British West Indies and the right to export goods to Britain on American ships. European nations did not take the new nation seriously. Spain forbade American trade with New Orleans. Britain kept soldiers in frontier forts located in the Northwest Territory.

Articles of Confederation List the main weaknesses of the Articles. Articles of Confederation could not fund the government – therefore the Federal government was in debt small farmers also in debt –banks looked to the farmers to collect money. In MA, Boston banks began foreclosing on western frontier farmers. Shays’s Rebellion (1786-87) Led by Daniel Shays, Revolutionary War Veteran Example of conflict between farmer/frontier and city Proved the Articles of Confederation were too weak to hold this nation together NOTES

The nation’s debt was mounting. List the main weaknesses of the Articles. The nation’s debt was mounting. The economic depression was deepening as debts, bankruptcies, and foreclosures grew. Shays’ Rebellion demonstrated the Federal government’s weakness. Foreign nations did not respect the United States. Growing problems led to calls for a revision of the Articles of Confederation. NOTES

Early State Governments Early National Governments All states established republics in which voters chose representatives. Each state had 1 vote, no matter the population size. NOTES Most states had a bicameral legislature. The nation was a loose confederation of states. Most states required property ownership for voting. There was no executive branch. There was no judicial branch. Most states guaranteed religious freedom in their constitutions. Congress could not levy taxes.

What form of national government did the Patriots create initially, and what events revealed that a new government was necessary? After the Revolutionary War, the Patriots feared entrusting the Congress with too much power. Most authority remained with the states. But strong state governments and a weak national government led to problems. Explain how the states’ new constitutions reflected republican ideals. Describe the structure and powers of the national government under the Articles of Confederation. Summarize the Congress’s plan for the settlement and governance of western lands. List the main weaknesses of the Articles.