1. Forming a new Government – but how?
WHAT NOW??
Forming a new Government – but how?

2. We are Independent, but….
We are 13 separate states
We are in huge debt
We don’t have common money
We don’t have a government
We don’t have similar laws
We are loyal to our states not a national gov’t
We are so afraid of having another tyrant
Where can we start?

3. STATE CONSTITUTIONS (Plan of Government)
Whatever we create we want to:
Spell out the rights of citizens
To limit the powers of the government
To keep power in the hands of the people
Most states based their constitutions on their previous gov’t or even used the charter itself.

4. DIVIDING POWER We don’t We do
want anyone to be too powerful
We do
Want power divided between legislative (makes laws) and executive branches (enforces laws) (bicameral)
Governor carried out laws in all states except Pennsylvania

5. PROTECTING FREEDOMS
Virginia included a bill of rights to protect the rights of citizens
Other states followed along

6. RIGHT TO VOTE Only white males could vote
Must own a certain amount of land
Must pay a certain amount in taxes
(is this ok)?

7. FORMING A NATIONAL GOVERNMENT
Continental congress thought that we needed a national government in order to succeed.

8. FIRST NATIONAL CONSTITUTION
Few people wanted a national government
Most were loyal to their states
States were unwilling to give up powers to a strong central government
So… they formed the Articles of Confederation

9. The Articles of Confederation

10. The Articles of Confederation
The Articles were written in 1777 by John Dickinson, a Penn. statesman
The Articles were accepted by Congress in 1781 and is considered the first national constitution

11. The Articles of Confederation
The fear of having too much power in one person’s hands reflects the experiences the colonies had under a monarchy
In the Articles the state governments limit the power of the national Congress

12. ARTICLES OF CONFEDERATION
Bottom line – states enter into a “Firm league of friendship”
States retained their sovereignty, freedom, and independence
Each state had one vote in continental congress
9 of 13 states had to approve a law for it to go into effect

13. ARTICLES OF CONFEDERATION (cont.)
Could not regulate trade
Could not pass laws regarding taxes
Could declare war
Could conduct foreign affairs
Could borrow money
Could appoint military officers
Could coin (make) money

14. A LOOSE ALLIANCE National government was very weak
No president to carry out laws; states had to enforce them
Many disputes arose between states about what needed to be done

15. CHALLENGES FOR THE ARTICLES OF CONFEDERATION
Americans began to wonder if the new nation could survive

16. TROUBLES WITH MONEY AND TRADE
Owed millions of dollars, had no way to repay it.
Congress could ask for money, but could not demand it. States said no.
Money that had been printed was not worth anything. There was too much of it.
States printed their own money. Difficult to determine value. States stopped trading with other states.

17. MASSACHUSETTS MONEY

18. MARYLAND MONEY

19. Georgia Money

20. New Jersey Money

21. Connecticut Money

22. NEW YORK MONEY

23. VIRGINIA MONEY

24. Delaware Money

25. New Hampshire Money

26. OTHER TROUBLES
New York and New Hampshire both claimed Vermont. No way to settle dispute
Other countries took advantage of US weaknesses

27. Settling new land What to do with other lands?
Land Ordinance of 1785: set up a system for settling the NW Territory (west of the Ohio River)
Northwest Ordinance: set up a government for the NW territory

28. The Land Ordinance of 1785, - settled land – new states (stated that land in the west was to be surveyed using a grid system to establish 6 mile blocks)
The Northwest Ordinance - Government (assisted in the orderly expansion of the United States, it outlined a plan for applying for statehood to western territories
5,000 free males who own 50 acres can start govt
Population of 60,000 could become a state)

29. Settling Western lands
The Northwest Ordinance provides an orderly settlement process in the West
It promised
no slavery
education
freedom of religion
trial by jury

30. Northwest Territory
The Northwest Territory was east of the Mississippi River and north of the Ohio River. The states of Ohio, Indiana, Illinois, Michigan, and Wisconsin would be formed from this area.

31. More Trouble Money was worthless
No gold or silver to back up money
Economic Depression – unemployment increases
Farmers having trouble
lands were destroyed during war
Farmers could not pay back their debt
thrown in jail

32. Shay’s Rebellion
Farmers are required to pay debts in gold, they have no money because they were not paid during the war
Wealthy lawmakers invested their money in the war too. And seek to get money from the farmers debts

33. Shays’s Rebellion
Poor farmers are not represented in the Mass legislature and cannot pass debt relief laws
The rebellion will free debtors from prisons and close courts that are hearing cases against farmers

34. Shays’s Rebellion The Mass militia is called out to stop it
Poor farmers in 1786 elect officials who support their stance and will close courthouses and demand financial help from the Congress
Shays’s Rebellion will prompt national leaders to create a stonger central government

35. Shays’ Rebellion Shay’s rebellion Massachusetts
Unhappy farmers staged a rebellion
Led by Daniel Shay
Farmers tried to take a federal arsenal
Militia fired, killing 4
Citizens feared that the government could not control violence

36. To Recap!

37. Weaknesses of the Articles of Confederation
Congress had no power to raise taxes
Congress had no power regulate foreign or state trade
Laws had to be approved by 9 out of 13 states
Congress did not have the power to enforce laws

38. Strengths of the Articles of Confederation
The Northwest Ordinance was passed
Land Ordinance was Passed
Had the power to declare war and peace, print money, and make treaties

39. Samuel Adams Said What?!
“Rebellion against a king may be pardoned, or lightly punished, but the man who dares to rebel against the laws of a republic ought to suffer death”

40. Views about Shays’s Rebellion
Adams will also write a law called the Riot Act, which prohibits 12 people or more from meeting and gives the government the power to shoot rioters!
Samuel sure has changed since 1776!

41. Thomas Jefferson Said What?!
"A little rebellion now and then is a good thing. It is a medicine necessary for the sound health of government. God forbid that we should ever be twenty years without such a rebellion."