Governing a New Nation

Settling Western Lands Articles of Confederation had to be approved by all 13 statesArticles of Confederation had to be approved by all 13 states Some states wouldn’t give approval until other states dropped their claims of the land west of the Appalachian MountainsSome states wouldn’t give approval until other states dropped their claims of the land west of the Appalachian Mountains The western lands were turned over to the national governmentThe western lands were turned over to the national government Could be sold off piece by pieceCould be sold off piece by piece

Land ordinance of 1785 Congress had to devise a system for land sales and settlementCongress had to devise a system for land sales and settlement Surveyors were to divide public lands into townshipsSurveyors were to divide public lands into townships 6 miles on each side resulting in grid of squares6 miles on each side resulting in grid of squares 36 sections would be sold for no less than $1 an acre36 sections would be sold for no less than $1 an acre Within each township, one section was set aside for schoolsWithin each township, one section was set aside for schools

Northwest Ordinance of 1787 Investors were eager to buy land in the Northwest TerritoryInvestors were eager to buy land in the Northwest Territory Pressed Congress to determine how it would be governedPressed Congress to determine how it would be governed Congress passed Northwest Ordinance of 1787Congress passed Northwest Ordinance of 1787 Guaranteed basic rights for settlersGuaranteed basic rights for settlers Banned slaveryBanned slavery

Northwest ordinance of 1787 Three step process for admitting new statesThree step process for admitting new states When a territory was just starting to be settled Congress would appoint a governor, secretary, three judgesWhen a territory was just starting to be settled Congress would appoint a governor, secretary, three judges Once it had 5,000 free adult male settlers, it could elect a legislatureOnce it had 5,000 free adult male settlers, it could elect a legislature When the free population reached 60,000, the territory could ask to become a stateWhen the free population reached 60,000, the territory could ask to become a state In time 5 states would be carved out of this territory:In time 5 states would be carved out of this territory: Ohio, Indiana, Illinois, Michigan, and WisconsinOhio, Indiana, Illinois, Michigan, and Wisconsin

Growing Problems Economic ProblemsEconomic Problems Each state had own trade policyEach state had own trade policy Each state printed own moneyEach state printed own money Making trade between states difficultMaking trade between states difficult Central government did not have power to taxCentral government did not have power to tax Little money to run governmentLittle money to run government Foreign AffairsForeign Affairs Powerful nations didn’t take American seriouslyPowerful nations didn’t take American seriously Britain was still in Northwest Territory even though peace treaty required forts be turned over to the AmericansBritain was still in Northwest Territory even though peace treaty required forts be turned over to the Americans Spanish who controlled New Orleans, refused to let Americans ship on Mississippi RiverSpanish who controlled New Orleans, refused to let Americans ship on Mississippi River

Shays’ Rebellion Mid 1780’s severe economic depression hit the United StatesMid 1780’s severe economic depression hit the United States Economic Depression: a period when business activity slows, prices and wages drop, and unemployment rises Economic Depression: a period when business activity slows, prices and wages drop, and unemployment rises Creates widespread despair and angerCreates widespread despair and anger Hit farmers in Massachusetts especially hardHit farmers in Massachusetts especially hard Crop prices declined and many were unable to pay their taxesCrop prices declined and many were unable to pay their taxes Farms were seized to pay back taxesFarms were seized to pay back taxes

Shays’ rebellion August 1786 Daniel Shays led an uprising of 1,000 Massachusetts farmersAugust 1786 Daniel Shays led an uprising of 1,000 Massachusetts farmers Tried to seize arms from a state warehouseTried to seize arms from a state warehouse State called out the militiaState called out the militia Shays and other leaders were arrestedShays and other leaders were arrested

What’s to come? Shays rebellion frightened some leading AmericansShays rebellion frightened some leading Americans Believed a stronger central government would protect against unrest amongst peopleBelieved a stronger central government would protect against unrest amongst people Congress asked states to send delegates to a convention in Philadelphia with the task of revising the Articles of ConfederationCongress asked states to send delegates to a convention in Philadelphia with the task of revising the Articles of Confederation