1. Lesson 8
What were the Articles of Confederation and why did some Founders want to change them?

2. “Founders” OR “Framers”?
“Founders” were those Americans who fought for independence and established new governments.
“Framers” were those who participated in the writing and ratification process of creating the Constitution. ( )

3. The Newly Independent States
Treaty of Paris (1783) officially ended Rev. War
BUT- The Americans needed to start forming new governments in 1776
The states saw themselves as 13 separate countries

4. The Newly Independent States:
Needed to cooperate for:
Winning the War (funding, supplying Army)
Diplomacy (relations with other countries)
Dealing with land disputes (borders, Western land)
So, they agreed to establish America’s 1st constitution – The Articles of Confederation

5. The Articles of Confederation
The first constitution of the United States
Proposed by the second Continental Congress in 1776
Ratified (approved) by all States
Became effective March 1, 1781

6. The Articles of Confederation
A confederation is a form of political organization in which sovereign states combine for certain specified purposes (such as defense).
So that means…
It is more like a treaty/organization of independent countries

7. What problems were addressed in the Articles of Confederation?
Fear of a strong national government
Influenced by history of abuse by British king
Feared national government would overwhelm state governments
Solution: Create a weak national government

8. The Articles of Confederation were created to…
Establish “A firm league of friendship” among the states
Each state retained “its sovereignty, freedom and independence, and every power, jurisdiction and right, which is not by this Confederation expressly delegated to the United States, in Congress assembled.”

9. Second problem addressed by The Articles of Confederation
Fear that some states would dominate others in the national government
Solution: Each state had one vote (equal representation)
9 of 13 had to agree on important matters
13 of 13 had to agree to amend the Articles

10. Government under Articles
Unicameral (one house) Congress
No independent judicial or executive branch

11. Powers of Confederation Congress
Conduct foreign affairs
Make treaties
Declare war

12. Weaknesses of Articles of Confederation
No power to collect taxes
Could only request states pay their share
Couldn’t pay debt from Revolutionary War

13. Weaknesses of Articles of Confederation
Couldn’t regulate interstate commerce
Congress did not have the power to enforce trade regulations between states
unfair competition increased among the states  resentment, conflict, etc.
couldn’t enforce trade agreements with foreign nations
Effect  less foreign companies willing to do business with U.S. companies

14. Weaknesses of Articles of Confederation Cont.
No power to enforce laws
Some felt their property rights were in danger
No national court system to resolve conflicts between the states
It could be amended only with consent of all states

15. Other Problems the Gov’t. couldn’t fix:
Creating Uniform Currency
Possible wars between states over disagreements
SO, the United States was having serious economic problems!

16. How did Shay’s Rebellion sow the seeds of change?
Read pages to find out!

17. What were the achievements of the first national government?
Read page 63 to find out!
Winning the Revolutionary War and concluding the Treaty of Paris
Created small executive & judicial departments
The Northwest Ordinance – created 5 new territories (future states – IL, OH, etc.

18. A Potential Crisis Spurred Calls for Change
Annapolis Convention – 1786
Not well attended
Decided to ask the Confederation Congress to Call a Convention in Philadelphia to propose revisions to the Articles of Confederation