1. Articles of Confederation
AP US History
Articles of Confederation

2. Foundations – State Constitutions
Fundamental Law
Convention & Ratification
Separation of Church/State
Separation of Powers
Few rights for women and minorities
Women’s Rights (Broad City)
Republican Motherhood
Northern emancipation
Expansion of slavery into Southwest

3. Articles of Confederation
First government of the United States
A loose alliance of states
Purposely weak in reaction to the events of the previous years
You’re On Your Own

4. How effective were the Articles of Confederation?
Effective Ineffective Consider what is missing?

5. Northwest Ordinance of 1787
Land Laws
Treaty of Paris 1783
Western Lands
Land Ordinance of 1785
Northwest Ordinance of 1787

6. Practice Argumentation
How effective were the Articles of Confederation?
T – Topic/Assertion (answer w/ generalizations)
E – Evidence (2 details)
A – Analysis/Tie it Up/Show HTS
Therefore, ….

7. Political Structure of the Articles
Purposely Weak
No Executive, No Federal Courts
One Vote per State – Unfair?
9/13 Law
13/13 Amendment

8. Economics Under the Articles
AOC Can’t Regulate Commerce
AOC Can’t Tax
AOC Can’t Coin Money
Depressed Economics

9. Foreign Affairs Under Articles
Wins Revolutionary War
Northwest Forts
Mississippi River
Indian Raids
Pirates

10. Key Questions
How did the Articles of Confederation deal with land organization in the Old Northwest?
Why did Congress have difficulty passing laws under the Articles of Confederation?
Why was it difficult (impossible) for the government under the Articles of Confederation to raise money to pay its expenses?
Why was it difficult (impossible) for the government under the Articles of Confederation to settle disputes between states or citizens of different states?
Which of the weaknesses of the Articles proved most significant in causing the failure of the government of the Articles?

11. Sample TEA Paragraph
The Articles of Confederation were partially successful because while it successfully organized land, it was structured poorly. The Articles were successful because of the two land laws it passed. The Land Ordinance of 1785 divided land into grids to be sold and the Northwest Ordinance of 1787 set up a process for territories to become states. Despite these achievement, the Articles were poorly organized. The Articles only has a legislative branch. It did not have president to lead or a national court to settle disputes. The legislative branch had a difficult time passing laws because it took 9 of 13 states to make a law. It also took 13 of 13 states to agree to an amendment, so change was basically impossible. Therefore, the Articles of Confederation were a mild success because they were able to organize western lands but struggled to build an effective form of government.

12. Shays’ Rebellion

13. Abigail Adams to her Husband, John Adams
“remember the ladies, and be more generous and favorable to them than your ancestors. Do not put such unlimited power into the hands of the Husbands. Remember all Men would be tyrants if they could. If particular care and attention is not paid to the Ladies we are determined to foment a Rebellion, and will not hold ourselves bound by any Laws in which we have no voice, or Representation.”

14. Republican Motherhood

15. Western Land Claims

16. Treaty of Paris

17. Land Ordinance of 1785

18. Northwest Ordinance of 1787