1. The Articles of Confederation
Chapter 4 Section 1

2. Background
At the time of the Revolution, each colony had its own government. Rules were different in each colony.
In order to form a new government, the American people looked to early forms of government to get ideas from.

3. The Mayflower Compact, 1620
Colonial Assemblies
Virginia Statue for Religious Freedom, 1786
Magna Carta, 1215
The English Bill of Rights, 1689
Enlightenment
Use page to write a short description of each

4. Vocabulary Controversial- subject to debate
Ordinance-official law or rule
Egalitarian-characterized by the belief in human equality
Natural law-an Enlightenment ideal of governing society; principles derived from nature that govern human society in the absence of legislated rules
Constitution-set of basic principles and laws that states the powers and duties of the government.
Suffrage-the right to vote

5. Articles of Confederation
The Continental Congress appointed a “Committee of Thirteen” with one member of each colony to draft a new national constitution.
Articles of Confederation: the document that created the first central government for the United States.

6. What did it say? Articles of Confederation Single branch of government
Each state had one vote in congress
Congress could:
settle conflicts among the states
Make coins
Borrow money
Make treaties with other countries and Native Americans
Ask states for money and soldiers

7. Strengths Weaknesses Limited government Congress could settle conflict
States could refuse requests from Congress
No president
No national court system

8. Articles passed November 15, 1777 Northwest Territory
Congress had to decide what to do with western lands and how to pay debts-decided to sell off land.
Land Ordinance of 1785-set up a system for surveying and dividing public lands
Land was sold and split into townships
Northwest Ordinance of 1787-created a system for bringing new states into the Union
Northwest Territory-included areas that are now in Illinois, Indiana, Michigan, Ohio, Minnesota, and Wisconsin.
Had a governor appointed by Congress
When population reached 60,000, settlers could draft their own constitution and apply to become a state
Public education
No slavery