2 piece of Eight = 1 British Pound 3 French Francs = 1 British PoundCandy = 3 British Pounds 4 Canadian Dollars = 1 British Pound = 1 British Pound = 1 Canadian Dollar = 1 Spanish piece of eight = 1 French Franc

Chap 2.3 Articles of Confederation Established “a firm league of friendship” among the States. Proposed ; Ratified by all 13 States Allowed States to Keep: Sovereignty Freedom Independence All Powers not granted to National Government National Government to take care of Common Defense Secure Liberties Provide for the General Welfare

Structure of The Articles of Confederation Legislature - Unicameral Congress (1 body)  Each state had only 1 vote No Executive Branch –Duties handled by Congress No Judicial Branch –Duties handled by Congress Critical Period – 1780’s Central Government cannot act – “Firm League of Friendship” has no “teeth” to enforce anything

Weaknesses of The Articles of Confederation Economic  No Power to Tax – only borrow and beg  No Uniform Currency  No Power to Regulate Commerce  Interstate  Foreign Political  Only 1 Vote per State  Regardless of size  No Executive to enforce Acts of Congress  No Federal Court System (Judiciary)  Amendment only with approval of all 13 States (unanimous)

Consequences of the Weaknesses  Fighting Among States Taxing other State’s Trade Banning other State’s Trade  States Not Supporting New Central Government  Economic Chaos Public and Private Debts Not Paid Catalyst of Revision of the Articles  Shay’s Rebellion Massachusetts farmers revolting to keep courts from foreclosing on farms

Chap 2.4 Creating the Constitution Met in Philadelphia May 25, 1787  George Washington Elected president of the convention  Worked in Secret  Framers new generation of American politics Changing Direction  Original goal improve the Articles of Confederation  May 30, 5 days after starting, adopted resolution to create a new government.

Compromise Needed to Create the Constitution Compromise important part of government 13 States very different in geography and economic situations Wide differences of opinion among delegates, but Delegates agreed on basic fundamental issues Need of new national government, federal in nature  Concepts of Popular Sovereignty, Limited Government, Separation of Powers, Checks and Balances