1. The Articles of Confederation
The nation’s first Constitution
A Confederation is a political organization in which the sovereign states combine for certain specified purposes.
US: a Confederation from

2. 1776 We’ve Declared our Independence, so now what?
Although Independence from British Sovereignty had been declared, the former 13 colonies needed some form of government to wage war
Each new state (13) created its own individual government
States’ sovereignty was considered most important

3. The Business of Rebellion
June 7, 1776
Richard Henry Lee introduced resolutions to the Second Continental Congress
1 was for a declaration of independence; 2nd was the blueprint of a national government

4. …..and this led to… Declaration of Independence
Articles of Confederation

5. Was this easy to create? NO!!
Fear of creating an all-powerful national government that would trod on the states’ powers
Fear that some states would be more powerful within this national government

6. Problem #1- Fear of strong national government
Once the Rev. War began, each state was like a separate nation
Each with own constitution
Each with unique government
To the people, each state was their “country”

7. Founders’ Concerns Agreed that a national government was needed
Felt that the British government had deprived citizens of their right to be represented in government.
Concerned that if a strong central government were formed, it would be too powerful and far away from the concerns of the people
Control of government by the people

8. Classical view of government
Enlightenment Philosophy: belief that government is inherently evil and that people should be immediately involved in their own governance
Republican government
Could only succeed in small communities
Successful only at local level between people of shared geographic interests

9. Founders’ Solution to Problem #1
Create a weak national government
The national government would be composed of the Confederation Congress (CC)
No executive branch (today, the President)
No judicial branch (court system, today, the Supreme Court)

10. So who had the power to run the country?
The STATES!!
The State governments had absolute authority over their citizens
Congress had no authority to collect taxes. It could request money from the states, but the states could refuse.
Each state issued its own unique currency
The states regulated all trade between themselves
New York Colonial Currency

11. Problem #2 – Fear that some states would dominate in the national government
Each state was concerned with its interests
Most concerned with each state’s vote in Congress
Each state = 1 vote, or each state’s vote based on population or wealth
Concern that if majority vote rules, that majority would act at the expense of the minority

12. Founders’ Solution to Problem #2
Each state received 1 vote in Congress
Congress could create laws, but 9 of the 13 states had to approve before going into effect

13. Critical Thinking Group Question
During the years of the Revolutionary War, the Articles of Confederation were more successful than after the war. What factors may have allowed for this?