1. Articles of Confederation
Mr. Hilarides

2. Foundations of the Articles
Choice was made that since a new country was being formed the US needed a Constitution
2nd Continental Congress appoints a committee to draft a new government
John Dickinson chosen as chairman
Submitted to Congress July 12, 1777
Submitted to the States Nov. 1777
By 1779 all states had ratified with the exception of Maryland
Confederation- A loose alliance among states

3. Background of the Articles
Unicameral legislature (single)
Each state could sent between 2 to 7 representatives
Each state would only have one vote
Creation of new law required a 2/3 vote-9 out of 13 states
Any change in the Articles required a unanimous decision

4. Powers given to Congress under the Articles
Declare war and make peace
Make treaties with other nations
Send and receive ambassadors
Handle Indian affairs
Coin and borrow money
Set up post offices
Settle disputes between states
Admit new states
Set up an army and navy

5. Articles of Confederation
Strengths
Weaknesses
Power was held by states
Land ordinance of Surveying ordinance
Northwest ordinance of Split the Northwest territory into 3 to 5 states
Allowed for the extradition of criminals
Allowed each state to accept the laws of other states
Allowed citizens to move freely between the states
No executive or judicial branches
Each state was allowed to print its own money. Congress could not regulate the value of this money.
Money from one state was not always accepted in another. Money was becoming worthless.
Congress could ask, but not force, states to send troops for national use.
Nine out of thirteen states had to agree to an important bill before it could become a law
Congress did not have the power to tax the people directly

6. Shay’s Rebellion
The plan is to attack the arsenal at Springfield MA and then overtake the courthouse and destroy the tax records.
Jan. 25, 1787 Shays and his men arrived at the arsenal to find it guarded. The Army fired one round into the approaching crowd and they dispersed leaving several dead and the plot foiled.
By March their was no armed resistance