1. The Critical Period
Chapter 2
Section 3

2. The Articles of Confederation
**1st Constitution of the United States**
Approved by Congress on November 15, 1777.
Established a “firm league of friendship” btwn the states.
The Articles created a loose confederation of sovereign states and a weak central government, leaving most of the power with the state governments. (CONFEDERATE GOVERNMENT)
Did not go into effect immediately, needed to be ratified (Formal approval) by each of the 13 states.
MD was last to ratify on March 1, 1781  Date the Articles became effective.
The need for a stronger Federal government soon became apparent and eventually led to the Constitutional Convention in 1787.

3. Gov’t Structure Under the Articles (Problems?)
Congress was the sole body created – unicameral.
Each state had only one vote in Congress, regardless of pop.
No executive or judicial branch.
These functions were handled by Congress.
Each year Congress would choose a member to be president.
Would be a presiding officer and not president of the US.

4. Powers of Congress Under Articles
Make war and peace
Send and receive ambassadors
Make treaties
Borrow money from States
Set up a money system
Establish post offices
Maintain an army and navy
Had to ask states for troops
Fix uniform standards of weights and measures
Settle disputes among the states

5. State Obligations Under the Articles
By agreeing to the Articles the states pledged to obey the Articles and acts of Congress.
Promised to:
Provide funds and troops requested by Congress.
Treat citizens of other states fairly.
Give full faith and credit to the public acts, records, and judicial proceedings of every other state.
Surrender fugitives from justice to one another.
Settle disputes in Congress.
Open travel and trade among the States.
States retained powers not explicitly given to Congress.
States were responsible for protecting life and property and promoting “the safety and happiness of the people.”
States promised to do these things for “Nation”

6. Weaknesses of the Articles
Articles were inadequate
Congress did not have the power:
To tax
Could only borrow and ask the States for funds.
Debts hadn’t been paid from Revolution.
States did not meet the financial requests made by Congress.
To regulate trade between States.
To make the States obey the Articles or the laws it made.
Congress could only exercise it’s powers if 9 of the 13 states consented (70%).
Articles could only be changed with the consent of all 13 states.
Not easily changed...
Did Not Establish an Executive Branch or a National Court
No unity in policy!
Laws were interpreted differently!

7. The Critical Period – 1780’s
Revolutionary war ended in 1781; victory confirmed with the Treaty of Paris in 1783.
States bickered and refused to support the new central government and even made their own agreements with foreign governments.
“We are one nation today and 13 tomorrow. Who will treat with us on such terms?”  George Washington
States taxed each other’s goods and banned some trade; Printed own $$
Economic chaos spread; Debts went unpaid; Violence broke out
Shay’s Rebellion (MA) (
Small farmers began to lose their land and possession b/c of a lack of payment on taxes.
1786  Daniel Shays led an armed uprising that forced state judges to close their courts.
Later he attacked a federal arsenal in MA.
B/c of Rebellion, MA passed laws to ease burden of debtors.

8. A Need for Stronger Government
Those most threatened by economic and political instability – large property owners, merchants, traders, and other creditors – wanted to create a stronger, more effective gov’t.
Mount Vernon Conference (1785)
MD and VA took the first steps for change; They came together at Mount Vernon (GW’s home) to resolve conflicts over commerce and navigation.
Successful  Encouraged other states to join on a federal plan for regulating commerce.
Constitutional Convention (1787)
Meeting in Philadelphia to revise the Articles of Confederation.
Soon this became a meeting to create an entirely new kind of government for the USA.
Power would derive from a constitution.