1. The Articles of Confederation
Chapter 2
Section 3

2. Objective
Identify and analyze weaknesses of the Articles of Confederation

3. Ratification “League of Friendship” All 13 had to approve
11 within first year
Delaware February 1779
Maryland
March 1, 1781 – Articles of Confederation

4. Structure of Government
Unicameral Congress
Delegates chosen yearly by states
Powers:
Make war and peace
Foreign Diplomacy
Make Treaties
Borrow Money
Set up Currency system
Establish Post Offices
Build a Navy
Raise army
Ask states for troops
Settle disputes between states

5. State Obligations Obey Articles and acts of the Congress
Provide funds and troops
Recognize citizens from other states’ rights
Extradition
Go to Congress to settle disputes
Allow open travel and trade

6. Weaknesses of the Articles
No power to tax or regulate trade
Laws required 9 of 13 states to agree
Tough to accomplish
Changing Articles took ALL 13 to agree to change

7. Effects of the Weaknesses
Congress asks states for funds, could not generate enough revenue to operate
States constantly argue
Create treaties with other nations
Raised own military
Taxed goods from other states
Had own currency
Violence – Shay’s Rebellion
Congress too weak to deal with problems

8. Articles to Constitution
Maryland and Virginia
Meet to work out dispute
Commerce and Navigation on Potomac and Chesapeake Bay
Alexandria, Virginia
March 1785
Meeting moved to Mount Vernon
George Washington’s home
Meeting successful
Virginia G.A. calls for meeting of all the states
Wanted to set up federal plan for commerce

9. Meeting of the States Annapolis, Maryland Sept 11, 1786
Only 5 of 13 attend
Set new meeting Feb 1787
Held at Philadelphia
Meeting would become know as Constitutional Convention