Mr. Yancey’s Coat of Arms

Creating the Constitution

After the American Revolution After the war was over, each of the new 13 states began creating their own state governments. Some states started to separate the power of their government into different branches and some governments even listed the rights of people in Bill of Rights. All state governments were a Republic. A republican form of government is when people choose representatives to govern them. 3

4 The Articles of Confederation During the Revolution, the new United States needed a functioning national government. The Continental Congress wanted to model the Government after colonial governments They came up with the Articles of Confederation. States would retain most of the power. Founders were fearful of concentrated power due to past experience with the British Articles of Confederation: the government of the United States during and after the Revolutionary war

5 A Limited Government Articles established a “ firm league of friendship ” among the states Congress would be made up of one representative from each state. Bills were passed on nine of thirteen votes Amending (changing) the Articles took unanimous consent of the states

6 Structure of Government Unicameral (single house) legislative body Each state had one vote regardless of population size Congress given sole authority to govern the country An executive committee oversaw government when Congress was not in session Congress would establish temporary courts to hear disputes among the states

7 Powers Granted to Government under the Articles of Confederation Declare war and make peace Make treaties with foreign countries Print, and borrow money Establish weights and measures Hear disputes among the states related to trade or boundaries

8 Powers Denied to Government No power to raise funds for an army or navy No power to tax, impose tariffs, or collect duties No executive branch to enforce laws No power to control trade among the states No power to force states to honor obligations No power to regulate the value of currency

9 Accomplishments of the Articles of Confederation Ruled over the nation during the Revolutionary War Negotiated the Treaty of Paris with Britain in 1783 Established the Northwest Ordinance of Colonies like Virginia had previously claimed all of the land. Now it would be a territory with the possibility of future statehood. Map of the land settled in the Northwest Ordinance of 1787

10 Problems Facing the New Nation Trade with foreign nations. U.S. no longer the favorite trading partner of Great Britain –U.S. exports to British ports had to be on British ships –Many U.S.-produced goods were barred from British ports –Britain sent vast amounts of cheap goods to U.S. Potential Remedy –Establish a tariff on British goods (Weakness of Articles of Confederation preventing this solution) Financing the nation. States made their own money. Interstate relations. States fought over borders, water, and other things. The United States would solve these problems with the Constitution