1. DO NOW
The Revolution is now over. What kind of government will Americans want? Why?

2. 401: THE Articles of Confederation 10/21
Unit 4: Creating the Constitution
401: THE Articles of Confederation 10/21

3. The Articles of Confederation
first gov. created during the Revolution
Lasted 8 years

4. Federal Gov. v. State Gov
The federal government is the national government.
It is made up of representatives elected by the people of every state
makes decision and laws for the entire country.

5. Stop and Think
Who had more power under the Articles of Confederation: the federal government or state governments?

6. Strengths under the Articles
Clear separation of power (Fed v. State)
Rules for expanding U.S.
Got nation through war

7. A.R.T.I.C.L.E.S.
A- Arguments among states could not be interfered upon by Congress (led to more separation).
R- Raising money to pay debts to the federal government wasn’t possible because Congress couldn’t collect state debts.

8. More weaknesses
T- Tax could only be requested from the colonies. Congress couldn’t tax citizens.
I- If any army was required, colonists could only be requested for service. Congress couldn’t draft.

9. Who needs laws anyway?
C- Court system was missing for the nation. Led to favoring and bias in the courts.
L- Laws being passed had to be approved of by at least 9 of the then 13 states.

10. Stop and Think:
Why would it be important to have a national court system?

11. No power at the top
E- Every amendment had to be approved of by all 13 states.
S- Strong leadership was not provided because there was no president or chief executive

12. Articles of Confederation Case Studies
Refer to your notes on the powers and weaknesses of the Articles of Confederation.
Answer the following questions in your notebook for each case study:]
Can the Articles of Confederation solve this problem?
Why?

13. SITUATION 1:
Leanne Keene, French ambassador, arrives from Paris to tell you France needs the money it lent the colonies during the Revolution immediately. Can the Articles of Confederation solve this problem? Why/Why not?

14. SITUATION 2:
Neil Thisse is a Loyalist who fled the colonies during the Revolution and has returned to reclaim his property in Dover, Massachusetts. According to the Treaty of Paris, he is entitled to his land. However, Massachusetts has passed a law that ignores the claims of former Loyalists. Neil appeals to the Articles for the return of his property. Can the Articles of Confederation solve this problem? Why/Why not?

15. SITUATION 3:
A group of poor farmers in Massachusetts, led by Taylor Coutts and John Sullivan is angered by war debts, bad harvests and high taxes. When their debt-ridden farms are taken by the bank, they march on the state capital in protest. Massachusetts sends their militia to try to stop them and appeals to Congress for assistance. Can the Articles of Confederation solve this problem? Why/Why not?

16. SITUATION 4:
Both New Hampshire and New York desire more territory for settlers within their states. New land would increase trade, profit and power for their individual states. They claim Vermont territory and appeal to the Articles to settle the dispute. Can the Articles of Confederation solve this problem? Why/Why not?

17. SITUATION 5:
Foreign countries do not respect American independence. Although the Treaty of Paris granted the United States all the land east of the Mississippi, Britain refuses to withdraw troops from the Ohio Valley. In addition, Spain closes New Orleans port to American farmers. Can the Articles of Confederation solve this problem? Why/Why not?

18. SITUATION 6:
Some individual states have abolished slavery in their constitutions. Confederation delegates Nevin Weinberg and Dani Kwatcher propose an amendment to abolish slavery in the entire country. Can the Articles of Confederation solve this problem? Why/Why not?

19. p. 90
People in History
answer the 2 questions below

20. The Articles of Confederation only lasted for 8 years before it was replaced by the U.S. Constitution and our current system of government. Explain 3 specific reasons you think the Articles of Confederation were a weak form of government and needed to be replaced.