1. LEARNING TARGETS : EXPLAIN WHY THE FOUNDERS CREATED A WEAK NATIONAL GOV EXPLAIN WHY THE AOC NEEDED TO BE REPLACED W/STRONGER NAT’L GOV. IDENTIFY ECONOMIC ISSUES NEW NATION FACED IN CONFEDERATION ERA We the People, Lesson #11 How did the Articles of Confederation organize the 1 st national government?

2. 1. Fear of strong national government British government deprived them of their natural rights thought same thing would happen w/any national government that was both powerful & far away

3. 2. Articles of Confederation: 1 st constitution of the US; created our 1 st national gov Every action of Congress need approval of the states Created only a legislative branch (no executive or judicial branch) Leg. Branch (Congress) had little power over states or the people AOC organized to address fears of strong national gov:

4. 2. cont. Articles of Confederation: Nine states must agree on all important matters (6 states had most people; 7 states were smaller) each state got one vote in Congress concern that states with the most people would be outvoted by less populated states: fear that some states would be more powerful than others:

5. 3. Parts of government not inc. in Articles of Confederation no executive branch (enforces laws) Only included a legislative branch (Congress) no judicial branch (interprets laws)

6. 4. Achievements under AOC Waged war w/Britain Negotiated Treaty of Paris that ended the American Revolution Positives: Each state would recognize the laws of the other states Passed the Northwest Ordinance of 1787

7. 4. ADD: Northwest Territory: made up area that today is MI, OH, IN, IL, WS Waged war w/Britain Territories could organize state govs & be admitted to US Northwest Ordinance: most important law passed by Congress under the AOC Allowed public education Freedom of religion Trial by jury Due process of law NO SLAVERY ALLOWED

8. 5. Problems of national gov under AOC No power over state governments or citizens- could not make states live up to trade agreements with other countries No power to tax—country could not raise money no power to regulate trade between states could not protect property rights of people

9. 5. 6. 6. Shay’s Rebellion : Mass. farmers tried to keep states from taking their farms (to pay debts) national government was helpless to put down rebellion showed that a weak national government could also lead to problems country could not maintain law and order led for a call to write a new U.S. constitution