1. Revolution Aftermath and the Articles of Confederation
Unit 2, Lesson 4

2. Essential Idea
As the United States formed its identity, the Articles of Confederation attempted to provide a new government.

3. Impact of War on Society
The ideals of equality and freedom became more popular
These ideals were limited for women, blacks, and loyalists
Impact of War on Women:
Women took care of farms and businesses while men fought, and a few fought themselves
Women felt more empowered and pushed for more equality with men
Abigail Adams- wife of future President John Adams, asked him to “remember the ladies” during the revolution

4. Impact on Blacks Impact of War on Blacks:
Before the war, slavery existed in all colonies
Many people felt slavery did not fit the ideals of equality and freedom
After the war, slavery was eliminated in all northern states, but discrimination continued
Slavery continued in southern states, where it was vital to the agricultural economy

5. The Loyalist Exodus Impact of War on Loyalists:
Loyalists were discriminated against
Loyalist Exodus- around 100,000 loyalists left America, mostly to Canada

6. New Political Ideas
1. America created a republic, where power came from people through elections
2. Many states created written constitutions that included branches of government and lists of rights
3. Virginia Statute for Religious Freedom- first law that separated church and state government and allowed religious freedom

7. Articles of Confederation
Created during first year of American Revolution
First written plan of government for the United States
Government Structure:
One branch of government, the legislative branch

8. Government under the Articles
Congress was unicameral (one house) and each state had one representative
No executive branch to enforce laws, no judicial branch to interpret laws
Laws and amendments were almost impossible to pass
The federal (central) government was VERY WEAK, giving most power to states

9. Why Weak Federal Government?
Many Americans did not want a strong federal government
They worried a strong federal government could become oppressive and give rise to another king
Americans wanted as much freedom as possible

10. Strengths and Successes of AOC
Power to declare war and raise an army
Success:
America was able to win the American Revolution and become independent

11. Strengths and Success of the AOC
Congress could control the western territories
Success:
Northwest Ordinance of set up a system for settling the Northwest Territory and turning it into states
Northwest Ordinance

12. A Country of Slavery or Freedom?
This law banned slavery in the Northwest Territory
This meant the country would be divided between slave and free states as it expanded
Slavery’s role in westward expansion caused tension and contributed to the Civil War

14. Weaknesses and Failures of the AOC
Weak federal government
Failures:
Foreign countries did not respect the United States
Britain continued to occupy forts in the Northwest Territory
Spain disputed borders with America and claimed the Mississippi River, which southerners needed for trade
Congress was too weak to fix either situation

15. Weaknesses and Failures of the AOC
No power to regulate trade or print money
Failures:
States printed their own money
States competed with each other and taxed each others’ trade (tariffs)
States did not cooperate economically, creating disunion

16. Weaknesses and Failures of the AOC
No power to tax
Failures:
Could not afford to pay back war debts
Could not afford an army to deal with other countries or rebellions
Could not afford to build infrastructure (roads, bridges, etc.) to help states trade
States took care of themselves, often with high taxes

17. Shays’ Rebellion Causes:
Massachusetts raised taxes to a high rate to pay its debts
Western backcountry farmers were hurt by the tax and many lost their farms

18. Shays’ Rebellion Shays’ Rebellion:
Farmers wanted lower taxes and an end to farm foreclosures and attacked courts
Daniel Shays led 1,200 farmers to a federal arsenal to steal weapons and march to Boston
The Massachusetts militia stopped the rebellion

19. Shays’ Rebellion Consequences:
Shays’ Rebellion exposed the WEAKNESS of the Articles of Confederation
There was a threat of rebellions all over the country
Congress could not raise an army to address this threat
Congress could not stop the financial problems that led to rebellions
Problems Under the Articles

20. Revise the Articles? Revision?
The Articles of Confederation were TOO WEAK
Congress authorized the Philadelphia Convention, later called the Constitutional Convention, to REVISE the Articles
The convention ended up REPLACING the Articles with the Constitution