The Articles of Confederation Unit 2 Unit 2 Notes 2 Notes 2 SSUSH 4 SSUSH 4

Articles of Confederation Need for a central government Need for a central government Adopted in November 1777 Adopted in November 1777

Articles of Confederation Once a year the states will send delegates to the capital city to convene as the Confederation Congress Once a year the states will send delegates to the capital city to convene as the Confederation Congress –There are no separate executive or judical branches

Articles of Confederation Weak central government Weak central government States did not want to give up the independence they had gained from fighting the British!!! States did not want to give up the independence they had gained from fighting the British!!!

No Money?? Because our new Congress cold not regulate TAXES (RAISE MONEY), individual states began taxing goods coming from state to state. Because our new Congress cold not regulate TAXES (RAISE MONEY), individual states began taxing goods coming from state to state. New York would tax cabbage from New Jersey who would retaliate and tax NY for the use of a lighthouse on the Hudson River. New York would tax cabbage from New Jersey who would retaliate and tax NY for the use of a lighthouse on the Hudson River.

Rights of Congress Could: Declare war Declare war Raise armies Raise armies Sign treaties Sign treaties Could Not: Tax citizens Tax citizens Regulate trade Regulate trade

Problems with Trade States began taxing goods from other states because Congress had no power to control trade States began taxing goods from other states because Congress had no power to control trade

Problems with Diplomacy Britain demanded war debts paid, refused to leave Britain demanded war debts paid, refused to leave Spain disputed border between GA and FL, closed New Orleans Spain disputed border between GA and FL, closed New Orleans

Economic Crisis States issued paper money – became worthless due to inflation States issued paper money – became worthless due to inflation Federal government had no money Federal government had no money

Shays’s Rebellion Massachusetts, 1786 Massachusetts, 1786 Increasing taxes hurt western farmers Increasing taxes hurt western farmers Rebellion by the farmers Rebellion by the farmers

Shays’s Rebellion Marched on Boston, tried to seize weapons Marched on Boston, tried to seize weapons State militia defended the arsenal, killing five farmers State militia defended the arsenal, killing five farmers

Aftermath After Shays’s rebellion, Americans began arguing for a stronger central government After Shays’s rebellion, Americans began arguing for a stronger central government

A New Constitution

Nationalists George Washington, Alexander Hamilton. Benjamin Franklin George Washington, Alexander Hamilton. Benjamin Franklin Supported the need for a stronger central government Supported the need for a stronger central government

James Madison Researched government ideas Researched government ideas Father of the Constitution Father of the Constitution

Constitutional Convention Philadelphia Philadelphia May 1787 May 1787 Rhode Island did not attend Rhode Island did not attend

Constitutional Convention 55 Delegates 55 Delegates George Washington = presiding officer George Washington = presiding officer