1. Articles of Confederation
Our First Gov't

2. Our First Gov’t
Afraid of a gov’t with too much power, leaders created a gov’t that was too weak
The Articles of Confederation established “a firm league of friendship” among independent states

3. Articles of Confederation
Powers of the Articles
Congress could…
Declare war
Deal with national finance issues
Settle disputes between states
Obligations of the States
States “promised”…
To obey Congress
To respect the laws of other states

4. Weaknesses One vote for each state, regardless of size
Congress powerless to lay or collect taxes
Congress powerless to regulate foreign and interstate commerce
No executive to enforce acts of Congress
No national court system
Amendment only with consent of all states
A 9/13 majority to pass laws
Articles only a “firm league of friendship”

5. The Result 1. Everything began falling apart rapidly
2.Delegates met to fix the Articles, but ended up creating a whole new gov’t! = The Constitution