The Articles of Confederation EQ: Why do people form governments?

Forming a Government  Even before declaring independence, the Continental Congress asked the states to begin organizing their government.  In addition to forming state governments, the American people had to form a National government  At first, most Americans wanted a weak central government, while the state governments would remain free to act independently on most issues.  This is how is was in 1777 when the Articles of Confederation were adopted as the nation’s first form of central government……..  Even before declaring independence, the Continental Congress asked the states to begin organizing their government.  In addition to forming state governments, the American people had to form a National government  At first, most Americans wanted a weak central government, while the state governments would remain free to act independently on most issues.  This is how is was in 1777 when the Articles of Confederation were adopted as the nation’s first form of central government……..

The Articles of Confederation Major Weaknesses of the Articles: Congress had no authority to raise money by collecting taxes. Congress had no control over foreign trade. Congress could not force the states to carry out its laws. All 13 states had to agree to any amendments, making it nearly impossible to correct problems.

Policies for Western Lands  The Articles of Confederation did not propose a way to add new states to the United States.  This was a problem because people began to settle west of the Appalachian Mountains, outside existing states.  They needed to come up with an orderly process for these new lands to achieve the status of statehood.  The Land Ordinance of the Confederation congress passed this law that set up a process to survey and sell lands north of the Ohio River.  Northwest Ordinance- Congress passed this law to create a single Northwest Territory. This land was then divided into 3-5 smaller territories. When a territory had 60,000 residents the people could seek statehood.  The Articles of Confederation did not propose a way to add new states to the United States.  This was a problem because people began to settle west of the Appalachian Mountains, outside existing states.  They needed to come up with an orderly process for these new lands to achieve the status of statehood.  The Land Ordinance of the Confederation congress passed this law that set up a process to survey and sell lands north of the Ohio River.  Northwest Ordinance- Congress passed this law to create a single Northwest Territory. This land was then divided into 3-5 smaller territories. When a territory had 60,000 residents the people could seek statehood.

Northwest Ordinance  The NW Ordinance included a Bill of Rights for settlers that guaranteed these people I nthe west jury trials and freedom of religion.  It also contained a clause, or condition that there could be no slavery in these territories.  This marked the first attempt to stop the spread of slavery in the United States.  The NW Ordinance included a Bill of Rights for settlers that guaranteed these people I nthe west jury trials and freedom of religion.  It also contained a clause, or condition that there could be no slavery in these territories.  This marked the first attempt to stop the spread of slavery in the United States.

Financial Problems  Because of its weaknesses, the Confederation government had financial issues.  The money that was printed during the war held little to no value  The price of food and other goods soared  Congress borrowed money during the war from citizens and foreign governments.  Financial plans were proposed, but al 13 states did not agree, so it could not pass.  Because of its weaknesses, the Confederation government had financial issues.  The money that was printed during the war held little to no value  The price of food and other goods soared  Congress borrowed money during the war from citizens and foreign governments.  Financial plans were proposed, but al 13 states did not agree, so it could not pass.

Foreign Relations  Trouble with foreign governments also revealed the weaknesses of the American government.  Britain– The British and Americans both argued that agreements made in the Treaty of Paris 1783, were not being upheld.  Spain- Spain controlled FL and lands west of the Mississippi, and did not want merican expansion into its territory.  Spain closed the lower portion of the Mississippi to American shipping The weakness of the Confederation and its inability to deal with problems worried many leaders. Americans began to agree that the country needed a stronger government.  Trouble with foreign governments also revealed the weaknesses of the American government.  Britain– The British and Americans both argued that agreements made in the Treaty of Paris 1783, were not being upheld.  Spain- Spain controlled FL and lands west of the Mississippi, and did not want merican expansion into its territory.  Spain closed the lower portion of the Mississippi to American shipping The weakness of the Confederation and its inability to deal with problems worried many leaders. Americans began to agree that the country needed a stronger government.

Shays’s Rebellion  Problems after the war led to a shortage of money in the United States.  Economic troubles hit farmers hard because they could not sell their goods and had trouble paying taxes.  In Massachusetts, Daniel Shays led a group of angry farmers toward the federal arsenal—They were stopped by the militita.  This rebellion (Shays’s Rebellion) made people believe that the government could not handle unrest and prevent violence. Another reason a stronger central government was needed.  Problems after the war led to a shortage of money in the United States.  Economic troubles hit farmers hard because they could not sell their goods and had trouble paying taxes.  In Massachusetts, Daniel Shays led a group of angry farmers toward the federal arsenal—They were stopped by the militita.  This rebellion (Shays’s Rebellion) made people believe that the government could not handle unrest and prevent violence. Another reason a stronger central government was needed.