1. Chapter 7 A More Perfect Union (1777-1790)
Section 1 The Articles of Confederation

2. Second Continental Congress
Needed a plan of government that met the needs of all 13 states
The states joined to fight against the British, but would they be able to work together and maintain their independence?
The states’ first task was to establish their own political institutions.

3. State Constitutions
May 1776, Congress asked the states to organize their governments.
Each state adopted a constitution (Plan of government)
Each learned from British rule and did not want too much power for a single ruler.
Pennsylvania even had an elected council with 12 members.
Each had limited power for the governor.

4. Limiting Power
States also divided government functions between the governor and the legislature
Most states established bicameral (two-house) legislatures to divide power even further
The writers of the constitutions wanted to keep the power in the hands of the people.

5. Limiting Power (cont.) Elections were frequent .
In order to vote (in most states) you had to be a white male, 21 years old or older, and own property.
Some states allowed free African Americans to vote.

6. Forming a Republic Americans agreed that they should be a republic
Citizens rule through elected representatives.
Disagreements arose on organization of the powers.
Most Americans wanted a weak central government.

7. Forming a Republic (cont.)
Each state would be like independent countries.
States would act independently on most issues.
The central government would only wage war and handle relations with other nations.

8. Planning a New Government
1776- Congress appointed a committee to draw a constitution
November The Articles of Confederation was adopted
Was America’s first constitution
Central government in which the states kept most of their power
Under the Articles Congress had the power to conduct foreign affairs, maintain armed forces, borrow money, and issue currency
John Hanson- 1st President of the United States under the Articles of Confederation

9. Weaknesses of the Articles
Congress could not regulate trade
Or force citizens to join the army
Or impose taxes
If Congress needed money they had to ask the state legislatures- but they were NOT required to contribute
Congress lacked a chief executive

10. The Confederation Government
Did not provide a strong enough government
To pass a law 9 states had to agree
Despite weaknesses it made some important achievements
Under the Confederation government, Americans won independence and expanded foreign trade
Also helped with the governing if western territories

11. Moving West
1790- About 120,000 lived west of the Appalachian Mountains
Settlers hoped to organize lands as states and join the union
Land claims were given up and Congress took control of these lands
1784- Congress divided the western territory into self-governing districts
When the number of people in a district reached the population of the smallest existing state, that district could petition for statehood

12. The Ordinance of 1785
1785- Congress passed an ordinance (law) that established a procedure for surveying and selling western lands north of the Ohio River
Divided the massive territory into 6 miles by 6 miles townships
Townships were divided into 36 sections (640 acres)
Each would be sold at public auction
To govern the territory, a new ordinance was needed

13. The Northwest Ordinance
1787- Created a single Northwest Territory
North of the Ohio River and east of the Mississippi River
Divided into 3 to 5 smaller territories
When the population reached 60,000 the people could petition for statehood
Each new state would have the same rights as the original 13 states

14. More of the Northwest Ordinance
Had a bill of rights for settlers
Guaranteed freedom of religion and trial by jury
Slavery was outlawed
This clause (condition added to a document) marked the first attempt to stop the spread of slavery in the US
The Ordinance of 1785 and the Northwest Ordinance opened the way for settlement of the Northwest Territory in a stable and orderly manner

15. Financial Problems
By The money printed during the Revolutionary War depreciated (fell in value) so far that it was almost worthless.
Taxes could not be collected so Congress and the states printed their own paper money.
Not backed in silver or gold, so it had no real value.
War for independence left Congress with a huge debt.
Congress owned money to American soldiers, citizens, and foreign nations.
Did not have the money to send.

17. Robert Morris’s Import Tax
1781- The finances were collapsing.
Congress created a department of finance led by Philadelphia merchant Robert Morris.
Morris proposed a 5% tax on imported goods to help pay the debt.
The plan called for a change to the Articles to give Congress the power to tax.
Rhode Island refused so it did not pass.
The financial crisis continued to worsen.

18. Problems With Britain
The British did not leave the forts they were supposed to according to the Treaty of Paris (1783)
Americans complained that the British were keeping them out of the West Indies and other British markets
1785- John Adams was sent to London to discuss the problems
The British responded that the United States did not live up to their side of the Treaty.
The states never paid the loyalists that lost their land and property

19. Problems With Spain
Spain wanted to stop American expansion into its territory
Spain closed the lower Mississippi River to American shipping in 1784
Westerners no longer had this trade route
The Confederation could not handle the issues properly.
These problems worried many leaders and they saw that there was a need for a stronger government.

20. Assignment
On a separate sheet of paper, choose one passage from this section and write a paragraph explaining something new you learned.
Be sure to use the Elephant Paragraph format:
Introduction sentence
Supporting information sentence
Outside information sentence
Concluding sentence