1. AIM: Was the Unification of the States into a new nation possible?
The Critical Period
AIM: Was the Unification of the States into a new nation possible?

2. George Washington called the Articles “a rope of sand.”
Ben Franklin called the Articles “a horse without a rider”
Alexander Hamilton called the Articles “a monster with 13 heads”

3. I. Achievements of the Articles
Won the War: “Treaty of 1783”
Kept 13 states united

4. C. Northwest territory Land Ordinance of 1785:
Set aside one section of land for public education

5. 2. Northwest Ordinance 1787 Process for adding states 5 states formed
Slavery forbidden
Bill of rights

6. II. Problems of the New Nation
Interstate Rivalries: conflicting land claims, tariff wars, boundary disputes
Economic Troubles: war debts, unemployment, cheap money, lack of uniform currency, no longer part of British trading empire
Political Weakness: no leadership in domestic or foreign affairs

7. “The Articles of Confederation was a “league”, rather than a “union” of the thirteen states.”

8. III. Problems of the Articles
Legislation Leadership Taxes
Raising an
Army/navy
Problems
Trade
Making Changes
In Government
Settling
Disputes
Money

9. Shay’s Rebellion

10. V. Summary
“The whole period is one of gradually increasing ineptitude of the central government under the Articles of Confederation.”
Andrew McLouglin

11. “Freedom from Britain resulted in a surge of activity in all phases of American Life. Government under the Articles of Confederation was the story of a newly freed people who seized upon every means to improve and enrich themselves in a nation which they believed had a golden destiny.”
Merrill Jensen