1. The Articles of Confederation The 1 st Constitution for The United States

2. Each state had 1 vote in Congress No federal courts No executive branch and no President Unicameral Congress

3. Government Under the Articles Representatives had no set term. Only powers given to Congress were –Make war and peace –Send and receive ambassadors –Enter into treaties –Raise and equip a navy –Maintain an army

4. Weaknesses of Articles No power to levy or collect taxes. Had to borrow or request money from states. No power to regulate trade. No power to force anyone to obey the laws. Needed 9 of 13 states to pass laws.

5. Every state, regardless of population, had equal vote. Amendments required consent from all states. (No amendments ever passed!!!) No executive branch and no President. No national court system. Weaknesses of Articles

6. Need for Stronger Government Quarrels among the states. –Boundaries –Taxes Some states began to deal directly with foreign nations.

7. Money problems –Unpaid debt to foreign lenders –Unpaid soldiers Need for Stronger Government

8. The Breaking Point SHAY’S REBELLION Economic depression Armed group of farmers Attacked federal arsenal

9. The Impact !!! Scared American leaders Demonstrated how weak the central government really was. Caused general public to support the idea of a stronger central government.

10. The Annapolis Convention 1786 Delegates were invited to discuss commerce. Meeting successfully resolved some problems between states. So another meeting was called in 1787 in Philadelphia to propose changes to make the central government more effective.

11. 1787 Some of America’s most brilliant leaders gathered in Philadelphia. They immediately skipped any attempt to improve the Articles of Confederation. They began to write an entirely new Constitution.