1. Articles of Confederation
“Its got 99 problems, but an overly powerful central government ain’t one”

2. Sovereignty “The right to rule”
Major Q Where does sovereignty lie in America?

3. Articles of Confederation (AOC)
1st Constitution,
13 ind. nations united only for protection
State gov’t > Central gov’t

4. Why?-Think Pair Share
Why would the states create such a weak form of government?
Want local, self-gov’t
Fear strong central gov’t

5. Create a T-Chart in Your Notes
AOC Success AOC Weakness/Failures

6. AOC Successes Effective wartime gov’t
Works well when colonies have common cause
Negotiates Treaty of Paris

7. AOC Successes Cession of State Land Claims
Cession to formerly give up

8. AOC Successes Northwest Territory organized Land Ordinance of 1785-
Organizes/Distributes New land
Divided into 36, one mile sections,
Northwest Ordinance 1787
Process for establishing new states
Sets up Gov’t for Territories
Governor, secretary, three judges, all appointed by Congress

10. AOC Failures/Weaknesses
Economic
No power to tax=no money
Massive debts from war
No power to regulate trade between states
No national currency

11. AOC Failures/Weaknesses
Diplomatic
Appeared Weak, no army/navy
Spain refuses access to New Orleans
Great Britain occupying forts in North
Great Britain stops trade with US

12. AOC Failures Government issues
Amendment process requires unanimous approval
Almost impossible to change
Only a unicameral legislature
No energetic executive (president)
No way to solve disputes between states
No judicial branch (Supreme Court)

13. Shay’s Rebellion 1786 Final straw for AOC
Rebellion of poor farmers in MA
Stopped by MA Militia
Used to justify creating a stronger central government