1. Articles of Confederation
US History

2. Do Now:
“We have it in our power to begin the world over again. A situation, similar to the present, hath not happened since the days of Noah until now. The birthday of a new world is at hand.” – Thomas Paine, February 14, 1776
According to this excerpt and the colonists experience with King George III, what type of government do you think the colonists are going to create?

3. Each state had its own constitution
Self-governing colonies encouraged people to think of the colony as the primary political unit.
They wanted to form 
a republic where citizens vote for elected leaders 
to represent them
But, the USA needed 
a national gov’t to do things that states could not, like sign treaties 
& form a military

4. Articles of Confederation
Two levels of government share fundamental powers- State and National
Government would loosely connect the states under a weak national government
Articles established a “firm league of friendship” among the states
One vote from each state
9 out of 13 states had to agree to pass a law

5. Powers Granted to Government under the Articles of Confederation
Declare war and make peace
Make treaties with foreign countries
Establish an army and navy
Appoint high-ranking military officials
Print, and borrow money
Hear disputes among the states related to trade or boundaries

6. Powers Denied to Government
No power to raise funds for an army or navy
No power to tax, impose tariffs, or collect duties
No executive branch to enforce laws
No power to control trade among the states
No power to force states to honor obligations
No power to regulate the value of currency

7. Northwest Ordinance
In it Congress provided a procedure for dividing the land into territories
The territory needed to have 5,000 free males that owned 50 acres of land
When the territory had 60,000 people.. It could become a state

10. Simulation One
British soldiers are preparing to attack Philadelphia. We are in desperate need of troops from the states.
George Washington: Oh my goodness. There are British soldiers preparing to attack the city of Brotherly love, Philadelphia. Our dearest congress, we are in desperate need of troops from the state for protection.
Colonist #1. Can you get your state to send some soldiers to aid in our defense’
Congressmen #1: Unfortunately there is nothing we can do. It is up to individual state to prove an army for the common defense
Colonist #1: So, if you are all unwilling to send us soldiers, we are virtually defenseless! Our nation is in great danger!

11. What are you observing in the simulation
What are you observing in the simulation
Why was this a problem for the United States?
Simulation 1

12. Without funding, the road will not be built
Simulation Two
Alexander Hamilton: I would like to propose the building of a national road to and from Philadelphia. We need this so that delegates can get to meetings more easily. This will also help states trade with each other, which will help our economy grow.
Alexander Hamilton: Can you see if you can get your states to send money to the federal government for this project?
Congress: We’ve discussed the matter with our states, and they do not want to many unnecessary money to the federal government. As independent states, we have plenty of economic problems of our own.
Without funding, the road will not be built

13. What are you observing in the simulation
What are you observing in the simulation
Why was this a problem for the United States?
Simulation 2

14. Directions:
At each station, read the primary source excerpt. With your partners, discuss how the lack of federal power is harming the early United States. Make note of your conclusion in the corresponding box.

15. After trade begins Washington will stop trading.
Simulation Three
After trade begins Washington will stop trading.
George Washington: Stop! This is clearly not working out.
Alexander Hamilton: the Money is worthless and there seems to be no fair way for the states to sell goods to each other. Our economy will not be able to grow! We need a single currency for all the states.

16. What are you observing in the simulation
What are you observing in the simulation
Why was this a problem for the United States?
Simulation 3

17. Station 1: The individual states did not listen to the Congress.

18. Station 2: Congress could not raise an army, so foreign nations did not fear or respect the United States.

19. Station 3: The federal government could not print money
Station 3: The federal government could not print money. One state’s currency had no value in the next state, and very little in its own.

20. Station 4: The federal government could not raise taxes from the states, so other countries stopped lending.

21. Station 5: Some states sometimes did not participate fully in Congress.

22. Station 6: Some feared a tyrant would gain power because the federal government could not guarantee safety and security.