1. ARTICLES OF CONFEDERATION
Pros and Cons

2. Government of America Before the Revolution
Nonexistent
– There was no national government prior to the Revolution
Each colony operated its own government
Little or no interaction with other colonies
Looked after their own problems
Had their own laws / governments (charters)

3. What were the Articles of Confederation?
The nation’s “first constitution” written during the Rev War to created a central government uniting the nation in a “loose” confederation of independent states ( )
The first constitution of the United States was not what we know today, but rather the Articles of Confederation
The Articles aimed to set up an alliance between the 13 states rather than have one central authority figure or government
Why would the newly formed U.S. want to avoid a strong central government?
War for independence required cooperation among states
The states were VERY suspicious of a strong central government, so they gave only limited power to the new government under the Articles of Confederation
Articles of Confederation were adopted in 1777 and ratified in 1781

4. The Articles were intended to ….
Create “ a firm league of friendship…for their common defense, the security of their liberties, and their mutual and general welfare.” States retained most of the power

5. Problems the New Nation Faced when the Revolutionary War Was Over (1783)
The states and the Congress were deeply in debt
The Congress had no power to tax Americans
Paper money issued during the war was worthless
The Continental Army had not been paid
Inflation had driven up the price of goods in the colonies (190% to 500%)
Per capita income during the war years fell (equivalent to the Great Depression)
U.S. no longer enjoyed the protection of the British navy or trade with Great Britain
Under the Articles of Confederation, the national government had almost no power to address the problems facing the young nation. 2

7. The Articles of Confederation
America’s 1st Constitution
The Articles had 2 major achievements:
Bringing the Revolutionary War to a successful conclusion
Northwest Ordinance (plan for governing the western lands)

8. Northwest Ordinance: The Articles of Confederation's Major Achievement
Created 3-5 new territories in Northwest
Population of 5,000 may elect Assembly
Population of 60,000 may petition for statehood
Slavery outlawed in the new territories 13

9. Northwest Territory

10. The Articles of Confederation
America’s 1st Constitution
Strengths
Weaknesses
Congress was given the power to:
Declare War &
Establish an Army/Navy
No Power to Draft Soldiers

11. The Articles of Confederation
America’s 1st Constitution
Strengths
Weaknesses
Congress was given the power to:
Make Peace & Sign Treaties
No Power to Enforce Treaties

12. The Articles of Confederation
America’s 1st Constitution
Strengths
Weaknesses
Congress was given the power to:
No Power to Collect Taxes from the States
Borrow Money

13. The Articles of Confederation
America’s 1st Constitution
Strengths
Weaknesses
Congress was given the power to:
No Chief Executive
No national court system
No Power to Regulate Interstate Commerce
No National Currency
Difficult to Pass laws (2/3 vote)

14. The Articles of Confederation
No Chief Executive
No National Court System
No Power to Draft Soldiers
No Power to Control Interstate Commerce
No Power to Enforce Treaties
No Power to Collect Taxes from the States
Difficult to Pass Laws (2/3 vote)
No National Currency
Difficult to Amend
(Unanimous Vote Needed to Change Articles)
Congress given the power to:
Declare War
Make Peace
Sign Treaties
Borrow Money
Establish an Army & Navy
Organize a Post Office