The Articles of Confederation Continued

DO NOW: Make a Frayer Diagram to explain the word “Government” Government Write a definition for “government” in your own words (you’re not going to find it in the book) In your opinion, what powers should a government have? List as many different types of governments as you can think of Purpose - Why do we need a government?

We Won. Now What?

Countries older than America in years (1783)

Think of an infant… Can an infant walk? Can an infant walk? Can in infant talk? Can in infant talk? No!! No!! Baby America was much like this. Weak, fragile, unsure and a little awkward. Baby America was much like this. Weak, fragile, unsure and a little awkward.

Should we have a king? Should there be a supreme law of the land? What about individual rights? What about taxes? Who gets to vote? Should we trade with other countries? Are we going to have an army? Many questions to answer…

No More Kings!!! After the Declaration of Independence, the Americans did not want a king After the Declaration of Independence, the Americans did not want a king They were fearful of power being in one place They were fearful of power being in one place Felt it was better for each of the states to have their own power. Felt it was better for each of the states to have their own power.

Articles of Confederation: On the back of the Frayer you already made, complete this as we go over the info. Articles of Confederation What was it: Problems: Could Not: Could:

The 1 st American Government It is the first Constitution It is the first Constitution Congress creates the Articles of Confederation – all 13 states had to ratify it for it to go into effect Congress creates the Articles of Confederation – all 13 states had to ratify it for it to go into effect This is created in 1777 as a way to join the colonies during the war This is created in 1777 as a way to join the colonies during the war

So What Exactly Was the Articles of Confederation? A “league of friendship” among 13 states. A “league of friendship” among 13 states. Each state had their own money. Each state had their own money. Each state had their own laws. Each state had their own laws. Central government was given little power. Central government was given little power. Congress had hard time raising and keeping a national army. Congress had hard time raising and keeping a national army.

Video The Thirteen Colonies: From the Articles of Confederation to a Centralized Government

What could the Articles do? Allowed for our country to develop as a republic Development of new states Expanded foreign trade

Finally Colonist Can Settle Past the Appalachian Mountains. Congress passes the Land Ordinance of 1785 and the Northwest Ordinance of 1787 Congress passes the Land Ordinance of 1785 and the Northwest Ordinance of 1787 It establishes laws on how the Northwest Territories are to becomes states It establishes laws on how the Northwest Territories are to becomes states Eventually the Northwest Territory will create the states of Wisconsin, Michigan, Illinois, Indiana and Ohio Eventually the Northwest Territory will create the states of Wisconsin, Michigan, Illinois, Indiana and Ohio

Some thing the Articles could not do… It was too weak. It was too weak. Appoint a President. Appoint a President. Collect taxes. Collect taxes. Print national money Print national money Regulate trade. Regulate trade. Establish a national Establish a national court system. X X X X

Uh Oh… BIG Problems!! States begin to argue with other states States begin to argue with other states Congress could not tax and pay off war debt Congress could not tax and pay off war debt The country entered a depression The country entered a depression State money was confusing to exchange in other states State money was confusing to exchange in other states Foreign nations did not respect America Foreign nations did not respect America

Problems with Great Britain… British troops still occupied Great Lakes region British were blocking American trade to West Indies Britain would not discuss issues because America had not returned land to loyalists

Problems with Spain… Spain closed lower Mississippi River to American shipping.

Video Taking Issue with the Articles of Confederation

Review: Recreate the diagram below and complete Under the Articles of Confederation, what powers did the state governments have? (use p. 196 if you need to) How did the Founding Fathers deal with the problem of the Articles of Confederation?

Veto amendments to the Articles of Confederation Regulate foreign and interstate trade Control state militia Grant or refuse to give revenues to the national government How will the founders deal with the problems of the Articles of Confederation?

Partner Review: Domestic Problems:Foreign Problems: