1. Articles of Confederation
Part I

2. After the Revolution United States set up a Confederacy
Union not without its problems
In debt
System of Government ineffective
Confederacy - group of states bound by a weak central government. States retain greater power

3. Power and Problems under The Articles of Confederation
Articles allowed very few central powers
NO executive figure
Most powers fell to the states
No national courts
Retained the ability to run foreign policy
However, the articles could NOT…
Fund an army
Enforce taxes
The Amendment process was also very difficult, requiring ALL states to approve changes
This made amending the Articles nearly impossible
No state wanted to give up power to a central government

4. Shay’s Rebellion
Provided an example of the weaknesses of the articles
Government was unable to compel states to send men to put down rebellion
Farmer’s revolt ran rampant until put down by private army
Paid for by Boston merchants
Congress unable to act on situation because Congress was out of session
Revolt by Farmers in MA, many of them veterans of the war. Debt problems (unable to pay) were resulting in property, and in some case, their persons being seized. Attempted to shut down courts to keep seizures from happening.

5. Problem Solving Called a conference of the States’ leading minds
Philadelphia Convention 1787
Hoped to amend the AOC to make it more effective
James Madison

6. Factions at the Conference
Two distinct schools of thought at the conference
Those for central power and those for state’s rights.
Federalists and Anti Federalists