1. THREE STRIKES! You're OUT!
Was the Articles of Confederation, our first national government, given enough power to handle the problems the 13 colonies faced (and sometimes created)?

2. Purpose of the Articles of Confederation
The colonists believed so strongly that they would win the fight that they started planning a central government before the war was even over or even won. (1777)
Since most colonists wanted the central government to have very little power, the Continental Congress decided to form a confederation, (a loose union of independent states)
But WHY?
Colonists felt a national government could be as oppressive as the British government.
Colonists believed they knew what was best for their colony.
Travel too made communication a challenge (Time?).

3. What Should the Confederation Look Like?

4. The Result…

5. What do State Governments Look Like?
State Constitution
State Bill of Rights

6. What did the Confederation look like?
Only men who owned property could vote or hold public office.
Bill of Rights?
Judicial
Court System
EXECUTIVE
President?
Population was not a concern. Large states did not like this.
Rarely could you get 9 states to agree on anything.
All 13 votes were needed to make any changes

7. QUIZ CONCEPTS!!!!!! POWERS? Did it have a president? NO!
How did states vote?
ONE STATE-ONE VOTE
Votes Needed to Pass Laws?
9/13
Votes Needed to Make Changes?
13/13
Who Can Vote in Elections?
PROPERTY-OWNING MEN
Who Can Hold Public Office?
PROPERTY-OWNING MEN
POWERS?
Tax States?
NO!
Raise and Direct an Army?
YES
Regulate State Trade?
NO!
Negotiate Treaties?
YES
NO!
Enforce One Currency?

8. The Articles of Confederation is kind of like a baseball player?
Every player has strengths and every player a weakness.
The pitcher’s job is to learn both and exploit the weakness whenever possible.

9. POWERS of the Articles of Confederation
I can declare war if needed and make peace!
I can manage a postal office!
I can organize and direct an army!
I can borrow money to pay for stuff!
A of C
I can regulate trade with the Indians, and manage their affairs.
I can manage foreign affairs!
POWERS of the Articles of Confederation

10. RESTRICTIONS (Limits) of the Articles of Confederation
I can’t prevent states from issuing money for the purpose of purchasing goods.
I cannot control domestic or international trade policies or procedures.
I can’t call out the state militia unless I have permission from the colony’s militia.
I can’t settle disputes between any states over any topic.
A of C
I can’t impose any taxes no matter how much the nation is in debt.
I can’t pass a law unless 9 out of 13 colonies agree with me.
RESTRICTIONS (Limits) of the Articles of Confederation

11. The “Unity Splitter”
Merchants in New York place heavy taxes on products from other states.
Connecticut & Pennsylvania are arguing over a piece of land.

12. STRIKE?
BALL?

13. STRIKE 1!!!
The Articles of Confederation has no power to settle disputes between any states. The two states almost went to war over the issue.
The Articles of Confederation has no power to regulate taxes in any form. As a result, trade between colonies slowed.
POWERS
NOT!
NEXT PITCH

14. I can’t prevent states from issuing money for the purpose of purchasing goods.
I cannot control domestic or international trade policies or procedures.
I can’t call out the state militia unless I have permission from the colony’s militia.
I can’t settle disputes between any states over any topic.
A of C
I can’t impose any taxes no matter how much the nation is in debt.
I can’t pass a law unless 9 out of 13 colonies agree with me.
BACK

15. I can declare war if needed and make peace!
I can manage a postal office!
I can organize and direct an army!
I can borrow money to pay for stuff!
A of C
I can regulate trade with the Indians, and manage their affairs.
I can manage foreign affairs!
BACK

16. States are issuing their own money.
The “Economic” Curve Ball
The nation was almost broke by the time the war was won. More money needs to be raised.
States are issuing their own money.

17. COUNT 0-1
STRIKE?
BALL?

18. STRIKE 2!!!
The Articles of Confederation has the power to make and distribute money, but it cannot stop states from doing the same.
The Articles of Confederation has no power to tax. The central government is dependent on the state governments to donate money to its cause. Few did.
POWERS
NOT!
NEXT PITCH

19. The “NW Territory” Heater
People are moving westward. How will the central government handle this one?

20. COUNT 0-2
STRIKE?
BALL?

21. BALL 1
The Articles of Confederation resolved this issue by passing the Ordinance of 1785.
They created townships of land which could be sold off to the highest bidder. This depleted any strong competitions from one state to the other when it came to acquiring and settling land.
POWERS
NOT!
NEXT PITCH

22. The “Statehood” Knuckle Ball
With all these people buying land, what will he do about statehood. Pretty soon new states will want to join the union.

23. COUNT 1-2
STRIKE?
BALL?

24. BALL 2
The Articles of Confederation created a step-by-step process for settled land to reach the point of statehood.
Governor and 3 judges would be appointed to manage affairs
5,000-send delegate to Congress/ NO VOTE
60,000-Apply for statehood & draft a constitution
POWERS
NOT!
NEXT PITCH

25. The “Foreign Affairs” Heater
Britain closed ports in the West Indies.
North African pirates seized hundreds of U.S. ships and imprisoned crews.
Spain closed the port of New Orleans off to U.S. traders.

26. COUNT 2-2
STRIKE?
BALL?

27. STRIKE 3!!!
Even though the Articles of Confederation had the power to raise money or even declare war, it did not have the means.
The nation was broke with no money to build a navy or arm more troops. It still struggled to pay the soldiers salaries from the first war.
POWERS
NOT!
THE RESULT?

28. YOU ARE OUT!

29. Positive Impacts?
Though it did not unify the country, it did help the nation transition through a fragile period in its history.
It gave the colonists what they wanted in that it gave the states a chance to see if this form of government would actually work.
It provided a system for land distribution in the western territory.
It provided a step by step process for the creation of new states to join the Union.

30. Why Did It Fail?

31. What Might be a Different Reason?

32. 1786-“Straw That BROKE the Camel’s Back?”
Shay's Rebellion

33. POWERS of National Government
I can declare war if needed and make peace!
I can manage a postal office!
I can organize and direct an army!
I can borrow money to pay for stuff!
A of C
I can regulate trade with the Indians, and manage their affairs.
I can manage foreign affairs!
POWERS of National Government

34. RESTRICTIONS (Limits) of the Articles of Confederation
I can’t prevent states from issuing money for the purpose of purchasing goods.
I cannot control domestic or international trade policies or procedures.
I can’t call out the state militia unless I have permission from the colony’s militia.
I can’t settle disputes between any states over any topic.
A of C
I can’t impose any taxes no matter how much the nation is in debt.
I can’t pass a law unless 9 out of 13 colonies agree with me.
RESTRICTIONS (Limits) of the Articles of Confederation