1. Articles of Confederation
Chapter 2 – Section 3
Articles of Confederation

2. The First National Constitution
Called the Articles of Confederation
Ratified by all 13 colonies on March 1, 1781
What does the word ratified mean?
*The Articles of Confederation established a “firm league of friendship among the states.”

3. Governmental Structure
A Congress was created (Unicameral)
What does Unicameral mean? Think about the prefix Uni-
Each state was granted 1 vote, no matter how big its population
There was no Executive or Judicial branch

4. Powers of Congress Make war and peace Make Treaties
Treaty: A formal agreement between two or more sovereign states.
Borrow money
Raise an army by asking for troops from the states.
Do you think this worked?

6. State Obligations Allow open travel between states
Obey all articles (Congress has no power to enforce this)
Provide money/troops in time of need
States retained all of the powers not granted to Congress by the Articles of Confederation

7. Weaknesses of the Articles
1. One vote for each state
2. Congress could not charge or collect taxes
3. Congress could not regulate trade
4. No executive branch to enforce the acts of Congress
5. No national court system
6. Amendments were only made with consent of all states
7. A 9/13 majority vote of the states to pass any laws
8. Articles were only a “firm league of friendship”
**The weaknesses of the Articles of Confederation led to many problems among the states.

8. Examples of Weakness Each state had their own military
States were jealous and suspicious of each other
States refused to support Congress
States made their own foreign trade agreements

9. *Many states agreed that changes needed to be made
Two secret meetings were held ‘behind the back’ of Congress
Meeting # 1: Mount Vernon
This meeting was held in 1785, but only two states showed up (Maryland and Virginia)
Meeting # 2: Annapolis
This meeting was held on September 11th, Only 5 of the 13 states showed up.
A third and final attempt was planned when all states agreed to send delegates to Philadelphia in 1787.
*This meeting became known as the Constitutional Convention