2. The Nation’s 1 st Governments The Declaration of Independence did not declare America to be a single country.

3. The Declaration of Independence seperated the 13 American Colonies. Into 13 separate countries with their own governments and laws.Each state steering their own path.

4. Few Americans wanted to create a large Central Government. Why?

5. Confederation A group of states that band together for a common purpose. Each state was prepared to govern itself, but there were things the states could not do.

6. Raise an army large enough to defeat Great Britain.

7. Articles of Confederation was formed. A firm league of Friendship. We were still not a country, instead they established a system of cooperation.

8. Confederation A group of individuals or governments who band together for a common purpose.

9. The Articles of Confederation Did not unite the states into a single country. Instead they established a system of cooperation among 13 independent states.

10. The Articles of Confederation was weak.

11. Congress could not pass a law unless 9/13 States voted yes. To Amend a law which is to change a current law you had to have 13/13 states vote yes.

12. If Congress did happen to pass a law there was Army or law officials to enforce it.

13. The Articles weakness had severe consequences. The government had major problems raising money.

14. Shay’s Rebellion- an uprising to overthrow the United States government. The burden of taxes fell on the American citizen.

15. Shay like many Americans was a farmer who had fallen into debt because of heavy state taxes. He and a group of 1200 farmers tried to overthrow the United States government.

16. Shay’s Rebellion showed that we needed a stronger government. In 1787 12 states sent delegates to Philadelphia to change the Articles of Confederation.