1. AP United States History Unit 6: A New Nation
Articles of
Confederation
AP United States History
Unit 6: A New Nation

2. America after the Revolution
Local ties remain predominant.
Most Americans still consider themselves as citizens of their states, not as Americans.
Belief that the sovereignty of the state was more important than that of the power of the central government.
Would prove to be a problem later.
Map of the 13 Colonies

3. America after the Revolution
United in name only.
Issues included:
Western land claims.
Slavery.
Issues with foreign nations and Indians.
Prewar and postwar debts of individual states.
Merchants and producers vs. agriculture.
Interstate trade.
Second Continental Congress

4. The Articles of Confederation Origins
First attempt at creating laws for our national government.
Written by John Dickinson
Articles of Confederation

5. The Articles of Confederation Origins
Ratification required by all thirteen states, would not be finalized until 1781.
John Dickinson

6. The Articles of Confederation Key Rights in the Articles
Each state receives one vote regardless of size.
Limits to national power are contained in Article 2.
“Each state retains its sovereignty, freedom, and independence, and every Power, jurisdiction, and right, which is not by this Confederation expressly delegated to the United States, in Congress assembled.”
No right to tax individuals or states.
Relied on the states for yearly contributions.
Major weakness of the United States under the Articles of Confederation.

7. The Articles of Confederation Powers of Congress
Declare war.
Make treaties.
Establish a postal system.
Coin and borrow money.
Regulate Indian affairs.
Unicameral legislature. (1 House)
Articles of Confederation

8. The Articles of Confederation Process for Enacting Laws
US Territory in the
One state, one vote.
9 of 13 needed to approve laws.
No process for amendment.

9. The Articles of Confederation Executive Powers
No separate executive branch.
President appointed by Congress.
Has no true power.
Samuel Huntington,
First President of the Confederation

10. The Articles of Confederation Judicial Powers
None provided for a national government.
Only state courts have judicial power.
Creates chaos.
Lady Justice

11. The Articles of Confederation State Powers
States retain all powers not specifically granted to Congress in the Articles.
Patrick Henry

12. Triumph of the Articles Land Ordinance of 1785
Divided up and provided the Western lands for sale by the federal government.
Ensured orderly development of the West.
Provided a simplified plan for dealing with frontier defense.
Set aside land in each new township for the building of schools.
Draft of the Land Ordinance

13. Triumph of the Articles Northwest Ordinance
Drafted by Thomas Jefferson, set down into law how new states would be admitted into the Union.
Northwest Territory

14. Triumph of the Articles Northwest Ordinance
When 60,000 people settled into one of the political subdivisions, the territory could petition Congress to become a state.
Slavery is prohibited.
People living in the territories are to be considered citizens of the United States and not treated as second-class citizens.
Northwest Ordinance

15. Problems Under the Articles Border Problems with Britain & Spain
Spain and Florida, Alabama, and Mississippi.
Spain captures American territory (the city of Natchez).
Closes the Mississippi River to American commerce, hurting Western farmers.
France regains control from Spain in 1800 through a treaty.
Spanish Louisiana Regiment

16. Problems Under the Articles Foreign Trade
Was excluded from the British imperial trade union.
Policy of mercantilism still exists, Britain shifts its focus on its other colonies.
Merchants in New England suffer because they cannot participate in trade.
British merchants flood American markets with cheap goods.
Creates a depression in America as many domestic industries fold.
Seal of the British East India Company

17. Problems Under the Articles Shays’ Rebellion
Massachusetts legislature is determined to pay its debt by collecting back taxes, seizing the land of debtors, and sending people to prison.
Poor western farmers organize under war veteran Daniel Shays and forcibly prevent courts from holding sessions.
Impact: Many Americans feel that the nation is on the brink of collapse.
Shays’ Rebellion