The Articles of Confederation

What did the Articles of Confederation do? Continued the structure and operation of government established by the Second Continental Congress Established a “league of friendship” between the 13 states Provided a “unicameral” Congress Provided each state with one vote in Congress, no matter state size or population Continued the structure and operation of government established by the Second Continental Congress Established a “league of friendship” between the 13 states Provided a “unicameral” Congress Provided each state with one vote in Congress, no matter state size or population

Government Powers under the Articles of Confederation Make war and declare peace Send and receive foreign ambassadors Enter into treaties Raise and equip a navy Maintain an army by requesting troops from the states Appoint senior military officers Make war and declare peace Send and receive foreign ambassadors Enter into treaties Raise and equip a navy Maintain an army by requesting troops from the states Appoint senior military officers

Government Powers Regulate Indian affairs Establish post offices Decide certain disputes among the states ALL OTHER POWERS RESIDED WITH THE STATES! Regulate Indian affairs Establish post offices Decide certain disputes among the states ALL OTHER POWERS RESIDED WITH THE STATES!

Weakness of the Articles of Confederation No power to levy (or collect) taxes -States collected $ and turned over what they decided to the national treasury No power to regulate trade No power to enforce laws Laws needed 9 out of 13 states for approval -Not all delegates were in Congress at the same time -Small states could block what the large states wanted No power to levy (or collect) taxes -States collected $ and turned over what they decided to the national treasury No power to regulate trade No power to enforce laws Laws needed 9 out of 13 states for approval -Not all delegates were in Congress at the same time -Small states could block what the large states wanted

Weaknesses Needed consent of all states for amendments No executive branch – No unity in policy No national court system – State courts enforced and interpreted laws Needed consent of all states for amendments No executive branch – No unity in policy No national court system – State courts enforced and interpreted laws

Fair development of land to the west of the Appalachians Northwest Ordinance if 1787: -Established the principle that the territories were to be developed for statehood on an equal basis with the older states Fair development of land to the west of the Appalachians Northwest Ordinance if 1787: -Established the principle that the territories were to be developed for statehood on an equal basis with the older states Achievements of the Articles of Confederation

Achievements Negotiated Treaty of Paris with Great Britain -Enlarged US territory by acquiring land from the Atlantic coast to the Mississippi River and from the Great Lakes to Canada and Florida Set up departments for Foreign Affairs, War, Marine, and Treasury with secretaries -Precedent for the creation of modern cabinet departments Negotiated Treaty of Paris with Great Britain -Enlarged US territory by acquiring land from the Atlantic coast to the Mississippi River and from the Great Lakes to Canada and Florida Set up departments for Foreign Affairs, War, Marine, and Treasury with secretaries -Precedent for the creation of modern cabinet departments

Achievements Encouraged “full faith and credit” of states -States had to honor the legal acts of other states Encouraged “full faith and credit” of states -States had to honor the legal acts of other states

Need for a Stronger Government Debt from the Revolution Shay’s Rebellion Led by Daniel Shays, a farmer Forced the Massachusetts courts to close to prevent foreclosures on their land Farmers pleas were ignored 1200 advanced on the federal arsenal They were suppress my the Mass. militia but American leaders were alarmed Debt from the Revolution Shay’s Rebellion Led by Daniel Shays, a farmer Forced the Massachusetts courts to close to prevent foreclosures on their land Farmers pleas were ignored 1200 advanced on the federal arsenal They were suppress my the Mass. militia but American leaders were alarmed

Need for a Stronger Government Annapolis Convention Called together to discuss trade between the states Ended up planning another convention in Philadelphia for the sole purpose of revising the Articles of Confederation Annapolis Convention Called together to discuss trade between the states Ended up planning another convention in Philadelphia for the sole purpose of revising the Articles of Confederation