1. Articles of Confederation
A temporary solution?

2. Reason for the Articles:
Needed some way to coordinate the war effort.
Protecting state rights.
British oppression still fresh in minds of colonial people.

3. Drafting of the Articles
Written in a way that prevented central government from encroaching on state rights. (States above Federal)
Drafted in 1777
Ratified by all 13 states in 1781.
Designed as a quick fix to the urgent problem of war.

4. Strengths of Articles Provided a unified Central government.
Addressed Problem of Western expansion.
Maintained Armed Forces
Issued continuous currency
Conduct foreign affairs for the state as a whole.

5. Weaknesses of the Confederation
Hard to make laws
9/13 majority required
Unable to regulate trade between states
Relied on States to supply troops
Could not impose taxes
Could not enforce laws.

6. Weaknesses of the Confederation
Extremely hard to amend.
Lacked executive branch
No national court system.
One state, one vote.
Still not a united country
Only a “firm league of friendship”

7. Results in Constitutional Convention

8. 1787 meeting in Philadelphia
State delegates meet in small room to discuss the future of the nation and draft a new constitution.
Debated Topics:
State representation, slavery, westward expansion, strong state v. strong federal.

9. A Few ways the Constitution fixed problems with Articles of Conf.
Three Branch system
Able to impose taxes
Maintain army through drafts
Country united under the title of United States of America
Federal gov’t given authority above states.
It’s a democracy.

10. Class Activity
Create a Skit that details the Articles of Confederation. Teacher will place you in groups of 4.
Requirements:
1.) Analyze the purpose of the Articles and how they came about. (why they were needed)
2.) Show the positives (good) of the Articles and how they demonstrate the fears of big government that many colonist had.
3.) Show the negatives (bad) of the Articles and why they were eventually replaced by a more powerful Constitution.
4.) What were some key things that changed under the constitution?