Articles of Confederation America’s First Constitution

Constitution Defined Document that sets out the laws, principles, organization, and process of government

Articles of Confederation Created a loose alliance of 13 independent states Many states did not want to give up power to central govt --feared another tyranny (like GB) Americans did not see themselves as citizens of one nation, but of their own state Created a loose alliance of 13 independent states Many states did not want to give up power to central govt --feared another tyranny (like GB) Americans did not see themselves as citizens of one nation, but of their own state

Limited Powers States send one delegate to Congress Congress- declare war, appoint military officers, coin money, foreign affairs -- LIMITED compared to the power of states No power to tax No president States send one delegate to Congress Congress- declare war, appoint military officers, coin money, foreign affairs -- LIMITED compared to the power of states No power to tax No president

Economic Depression Depression - business activity slows, prices & wages fall, unemployment rises Shay’s Rebellion - Mass farmer org uprising in 1787 (1,000 farmers) attacked courthouse, prevented state from seizing farms--militia drove them off Depression - business activity slows, prices & wages fall, unemployment rises Shay’s Rebellion - Mass farmer org uprising in 1787 (1,000 farmers) attacked courthouse, prevented state from seizing farms--militia drove them off

Signal to Congress Shay’s Rebellion showed the AoC did not work Called for a May 1787 meeting in Philadelphia to revise AoC--in the end created new govt Shay’s Rebellion showed the AoC did not work Called for a May 1787 meeting in Philadelphia to revise AoC--in the end created new govt