1. The Articles of Confederation
J.A.SACCO

2. The End of the American Revolution?
“The American Revolution is only the first act of the play”

3. Republican Ideology?
Republicanism: political leaders receive authority to make and enforce laws from the public who vote/must be controlled by the people or freedom and liberty is in danger
Protect the rights of all/ Rule by minority
Reject monarchy/hierarchical authority
During the Revolutionary War most states wrote their own Constitutions
Society based on virtue/factions must be avoided
Depends on people doing the best thing for all the people (Locke)- if this breaks down the republic is in peril

4. What was the “true” Revolution?
Who Should Lead?
All citizens an equal voice/public
office open to all. (small farmers,
laborers, artisans)
Need strong men of ability/
Experience to lead the new
republic (businessmen, planters)

5. Theory of “republican” government
Essentials of a “republican” government
Hold gov’t officials closely
accountable
Limit the powers of government
with written constitutions

6. Theory of “republican” government
Written Constitutions needed!
Sovereignty with people where their ideas are embodied in a written constitution
Gov’ts function within clear constitutional limits

7. Theory of “republican” Government
Holding Government officials accountable!
Power given to people embodied in state governments
Power of state governors limited
State governments divided into three branches
Bill of Rights included in state constitutions
New national government would be weak with limited powers
Land requirement ends- to vote hold public office/only have to pay tax
Jefferson’s “Va. Statute for Religious Freedom” (no
official church/non-tax supported church)

8. The Articles of Confederation
Led by John Dickinson, with the help of Benjamin Franklin, a committee drafted a plan for a “loose” union
Document that creates an association of states while guaranteeing each state its “sovereignty, freedom and independence”
States have control of the Power!

9. The Articles of Confederation
Reflects the worries/experiences of colonies under British rule.
To ensure republican ideology created in the state constitutions, must limit the power of the national government

10. The Articles of Confederation
Established 13 colonies united in a league of independent states
A national congress called the Confederation Congress to make laws for the good of the nation.
Each state given one vote in Confederation Congress

11. Powers Of the Confederation Congress
Declare War
Make treaties
Regulate currency
Borrow money
Establish a postal system
Manage Indian affairs
Settle disputes between states

12. Successes of the Articles of Confederation
Led the nation throughout the American Revolution- served as a government
Negotiated the Treaty of Paris
Negotiated trade treaties with France, Prussia, Holland, Sweden, and Morocco and borrowed money from Holland
Negotiated a mutual defense treaty with France.
Kept the nation out of war

13. Successes of the Articles of Confederation
Ratification
Need all 13 states to put Articles into power, but first must pay off war debt. All 13 states must pay their share.
Problem:
Solution:

14. Successes of the Articles of Confederation
Land Ordinance of 1785
Northwest Ordinance of 1787
Define each!

15. Land Ordinance of 1785
Land Ordinance of 1785: divided western land into townships (6mi. Sq.), eventually sold at a dollar an acre, reserved one section for public schools

16. Land Ordinance of 1785

17. NW Ordinanance of 1787-Steps to Statehood
Territories have a governor appointed by Congress
When a territory has 5,000 eligible voters they can send a nonvoting member to Congress
Once a territory has 60,000 free inhabitants it is eligible for statehood and can draft a constitution
Congress approves the constitution and the territory becomes a state
Freedom of speech, religion, trial by jury, prohibited slavery, encourage public education

18. Northwest Ordinance of 1787

19. The United States in 1787