1. The Articles of Confederation Forging a Union of States

2. The Declaration of Independence For Jefferson, governments have only one purpose: –To secure natural rights In order to secure natural rights, a government must respect those rights even at its inception Governments depend on the consent of the governed for their legitimacy The standard of justice –Does a government secure natural rights? –Does a government recognize its dependence on the consent of the governed?

3. The Scene… A state of war exists with Great Britain The British Unitary state is rejected The Declaration of Independence states that the colonies “are, and of right ought to be, free and independent states” The necessities of war dictate these states must unite to repel the British and Hessian armies The Continental Congress drafts “Articles of Confederation and Perpetual Union” in 1777

4. Confederation Sovereignty ultimately rests with –Citizens –Member states –Or Both Citizens elect member state governments Member states appoint delegates to central government Central government ultimately depends on member states –May not administer policy over citizens without states’ consent Examples: –Articles of Confederation –North Atlantic Treaty Organization –European Union Citizens State CState BState A Central Government

5. Basic Features of the Articles of Confederation Begins with a formal greeting –Suggests a recognition of the reader’s natural rights Lists each state by name Expressly recognizes each state’s sovereignty Mandates full faith and credit, one state to another Describes the Union as “a firm league of friendship with each other –For their common defense –the security of their liberties –and their mutual and general welfare”

6. The United States, In Congress Assembled A single representative and deliberative body –Each state appoints delegates Minimum 2 Maximum 7 –Each state has one vote in the Congress –The Congress appoints one of its members to preside Term may last no more than one year Exercises federative powers –The concurrence of nine states required to act –Except on adjournment Exercises no powers not expressly delegated to them –Delegates from nine states must be present to conduct business Citizens New YorkNew JerseyVirginia The United States in Congress Assembled

7. The Committee of the States Appointed by the Congress One member from each state Interim committee –May meet while the Congress is in recess May exercise limited executive powers –“managing the general affairs of the United States” Citizens New YorkNew JerseyVirginia The United States in Congress Assembled Committee of the States

8. Problems under the Confederation States’ war debt States raise taxes States and creditors call in loans Debtors unable to pay Creditors attempt to sue Debtors block the courts (Shays’ Rebellion) Interstate disputes over taxation States share waterways States regulate commerce States tax fisheries harvests Includes citizens from other states Insecure borders UK grudgingly concludes Peace of Paris UK negotiates with possible US adversaries Including Gayanashagowa UK maintains military in Ontario and Quebec UK maintains Blockade on Atlantic Coast Barriers to interstate commerce British blockade Water route difficult and dangerous Multiple currencies, multiple import duties State border crossings expensive increases cost of manufacture Native nations Peace of Chalagawtha (Chillicothe) Kentucky patrols Tsalagi boundary dispute