Chapter 8.1 Forming a Union June 12, 1776 ◦A Committee in Second Continental Congress agreed to create a national government if America does declare independence from England.
July 4, 1776 Congress issued the Declaration of Independence ◦Written by Thomas Jefferson ◦Now it’s time for the new government to take place. Why? ◦ So when the war is over we can start our own country.
Americans Create a Republic When the war ends… ◦All 13 states ratify a constitution known as the Articles of Confederation Ratify ◦ Give official approval Established the US as a republic ◦ Citizens rule through elected representatives
A.O.C. Creates a Weak National Government Articles of Confederation has one branch of government ◦Called Congress It’s job? Make the laws for our country! ◦How does it function? Each state shared power by having 1 representative ◦ 7 of 13 state representatives had to agree to make a law. ◦No President or judicial branches
Early Problems in the Republic Congress could not: ◦Collect taxes ◦Keep states from printing their own money ◦Pass laws without majority of 13 states agreeing Congress could: ◦Borrow money from other nations ◦Declare war ◦Enter treaties ◦Pass laws with a majority
One thing the A.O.C. got right… They passed the Land Ordinance of 1785 ◦Set up a system for dividing up the territory west of the 13 original states. This created the opportunity to make new states in the future.
Northwest Ordinance of 1787 By 1787 enough people had moved into Ohio Valley that laws had to be made to govern them. Called Northwest Ordinance of 1787
How did the NW Ordinance work? Created the Northwest Territory ◦Would eventually become states Illinois Indiana Michigan Ohio Wisconsin Set rules for these states to be created. ◦Population had to be 60,000 or more ◦Had to set a local republic form of government Led by a Governor ◦Could not have slavery!!!
Northwest Territory
Review Questions… What is the Articles of Confederation? What is the Northwest Ordinance of 1787? What states are included in the Northwest Territory?