1. Articles of Confederation (1781-1787) Our 1 st attempt at NATIONAL government State governments existed as well Confederation: Power is concentrated in the states and not the national government Bad experience under the strong central government of Britain  Allowed states to do their own thing, but prohibited the states from acting as one nation to solve problems facing the young USA

2. Articles of Confederation Government made up of a Congress (Legislative Branch) Unicameral: one house or part Each state to have at least 2 delegates Each state to have one vote Missing in the government: Executive Branch Judicial Branch

3. Weakness of Articles of Confederation Problem CreatedFixed in Constitution No executive branchNo way to enforce laws passed by Congress; states can do what they want Executive Branch: Main duty to Enforce the Laws No judicial branchNo way to settle disputes between states or people Judicial Branch: Main duty to interpret laws Supreme Court established Congress had one house (unicameral); each state had only one vote. Representation in Congress is unequal among the states Bicameral Congress (two houses) 1 based on population 1 equal representation Congress cannot regulate trade with other countries or among states Economy suffersCongress can regulate trade

4. Weakness of Articles of Confederation Problem CreatedFixed in Constitution Congress cannot taxNo money to fund the government Cannot repay debts Congress can tax 9/13 states needed to pass laws Difficult to pass lawsSimple majority (half +1) needed to pass laws 13/13 states needed to amend (change) Articles of Confederation Almost impossible to doEasier, but still hard to propose and ratify amendments No national currencyHurts economyCongress can print money States joined loosely together in a “league of friendship” Not really one country Act on their own federal system, “Form a more perfect union

5. Weakness of Articles of ConfederationProblem CreatedFixed in Constitution No way to enforce laws passed by Congress; states can do what they want Executive Branch: Main duty to Enforce the Laws No way to settle disputes between states or people Judicial Branch: Main duty to interpret laws Supreme Court established.Representation in Congress is unequal among the states Bicameral Congress (two houses) 1 based on population 1 equal representation Economy suffersCongress can regulate trade

6. Weakness of Articles of Confederation Problem CreatedFixed in Constitution No money to fund the government Cannot repay debts Congress can tax Difficult to pass lawsSimple majority (half +1) needed to pass laws Almost impossible to doEasier, but still hard to propose and ratify amendments Hurts economyCongress can print money Not really one country Act on their own federal system, “Form a more perfect union