1. Ch 8.1 – “The Confederation Era”
EQ: What issues faced new Americans as they tried to create a brand new government?

2. First American Government
With independence won, Americans set out to create their own governments
Citizens wanted the right to vote for representatives in government, this idea is part of the principle of republicanism
Efforts focused at the state, not national level
At national level Articles of Confederation was created, would provide some unity, but would ultimately fail

3. The Land Ordinance of 1785?
Major issue facing nation was land in Northwest
The Land Ordinance of 1785 divided land into 6 mile-square plots, & selling it to bring down national debt
Northwest Ordinance allowed territories to become states once they had 60,000 people
Banned slavery in these territories

4. What were the Articles of Confederation?

5. The Articles of Confederation
Articles of Confederation was “agreement” of friendship; Congress could only deal with foreign affairs
No executive branch; to keep federal government weak because of fear of a king
Congress had no power to tax or regulate commerce

6. According to the Articles Small Federal Government
State Governments
Small Federal Government

8. Discuss: Why did the Articles of Confederation fail?
EPIC FAIL!!!

9. Failed Articles
First, country was in debt because Congress could not collect taxes
Secondly, Congress could not regulate commerce and different states had different rules

11. There was no presidency or federal court system under the Articles.
NOPE
There was no presidency or federal court system under the Articles.

12. EQUAL Representation
Each state had 1 vote in Congress

13. 9 / 13
To Pass a Law

14. 13 / 13
To Amend
(Make changes)

15. Okay… so they did have some successes…..

16. We Won the War
Photo by sskennel

17. Goal: Northwest Ordinance 1787 States cede “Northwestern” land claims
Create New States

18. in Northwest Territories
Northwest Ordinance
1787
SLAVERY OUTLAWED
in Northwest Territories
Some rights reserved by National Museum of American History

19. SUCCESS
The Northwest Ordinance is widely regarded as the most successful piece of legislation passed by the Confederation Congress.

20. But mostly the Articles of Confederation were just an

22. What is Shay’s Rebellion?

23. Q5: Shay’s Rebellion
Backcountry farmers struggled after the Revolution, with debt and losing their farms
Daniel Shays leads a rebellion against Boston demanding issuing paper money to help the poor
Rebellion is put down, but crisis revealed how fragile new nation was

24. ELITE CONSENSUS
WE NEED MORE
GOVERNMENT

25. THE SOLUTION

26. Reflection!
Write a 10 sentence minimum summary answering the power point EQ with details!
Remember:
Essential Question: What issues faced new Americans as they tried to create a brand new government?