1. Articles of Confederation: A Worthless Government

2. ARTICLES OF CONFEDERATION
After the Rev. War, most states feared a strong central government.
Their solution was the Articles of Confederation.
This created a “firm league of friendship.”
The 13 colonies cooperated for a common purpose.
Run by congress, each state = 1 vote.

3. Powers of Congress Could make war and peace. Raise an army and navy.
Print money
Set up a postal system.

4. SUCCESSES Northwest Ordinance of 1787
Provided a procedure to dividing the lands into no fewer than 3 and no more than 5 states. Also stated requirements for becoming states.
LAND ORDINANCE of 1785
Established a plan for surveying the land West of the Appalachian Mountains, where many people settled.

5. PROBLEMS…..
Congress could not impose taxes. They had to ask states for money.
The AOC could not settle quarrels between states.
No one cared what Congress said and each state looked after its own interest.

6. Money Problems Under the AOC, the nation faced serious money problems.
Money printed by Congress was worthless, so each state printed it’s own
This made it difficult for people to pay debts.
Courts soon ruled people would have to sell off farm land to pay taxes.

7. Shays’s Rebellion
In Mass. A judge ordered farmers to sell land and livestock to pay debts.
A group led by Daniel Shays rebelled.
They closed down courts then marched on an arsenal to seize weapons.
Mass. Sent militia to stop the rebellion.
This event was a disturbing sign and caused many to question the government.