Articles of Confederation America’s First Government Created by the second Continental Congress in 1777, approved in 1781

Thirteen “Countries” Each colony became a state Each state was really an independent country. People were loyal to their state, not one big country.

State Governments Each state had its own government. –More important than Congress Each state dealt with foreign countries on their own. Each state made its own money

States Work Together Each state sends representatives to Congress. Congress helps plan and direct the Revolutionary War However, Congress has no power over any state.

Articles of Confederation An agreement by the states to work together. Formed a very weak central government. –No judiciary (national court system) –No executive branch (think King) –One legislature, with little power. –No power to tax anyone –No power to regulate trade between the states

NHMARICTNYPANJMDDESCGANCVA Citizens of Each State Elects State Gov’t Congress Each State = 1 Vote No Executive (king or President) No Judicial System (courts, judges)

Why a Weak Government? Parliament and the King were strong! The colonies were fighting to rid themselves of such a government. –An executive reminded them of a King, so NO DEAL! –They were afraid of a government that would take away their rights.

Problems with the Articles Congress could not tax the colonies. –Each state passed its own taxes. Congress could not fix trade (business) problems between states. Each state had only one vote –It did not matter how big or how many people lived in it.

Government Gridlock To pass a law, 9 of 13 states had to agree –Nearly 70%!! –Few laws were passed To amend (change) the Articles of Confederation, ALL states must agree to it.

Land Issues Colonies won lots of new land after the war. Each state claimed some of that land as theirs.

Northwest Ordinance All states agree to give up claims to land in the west. System is created to make new states. –Three step process to statehood New states would be equal to old states. Prohibited slavery in the NW territory

Call for Change Small number of people want change Reasons: –Create a government that can do something! –Fix many of the problems facing the states. –People are too dumb to govern themselves Folks call for a convention in Annapolis Maryland to discuss changes.

Annapolis Convention 1786 Annapolis, Maryland Only 12 reps from 5 states show. Delegates plan to meet again in Philadelphia in 1787 Goal is to fix the national government.

Shay’s Rebellion Colonists in Mass. angry over high taxes and the government taking their land. Farmer named Daniel Shays leads an armed rebellion. Congress cannot raise funds for an army Mass. finally raises an army and defeats Shay, four of his followers are killed by Massachusetts militia. Many people worry that the new government could not maintain law and order and that Articles needed serious revision.

Successes of the Articles of Confederation It kept the country together during the revolutionary War It negotiated the Treaty of Paris of 1783 It passed the Northwest Ordinance