1. Articles of Confederation

2. AIM: How did the Articles of Confederation impact the U.S.?
Warm Up Think: How would the country operate if each state could make its own decisions instead of a national government? Would America be able to accomplish anything and be as strong as it is today? Or would states work to their own benefit and do what was best for the state even if it put the rest of the nation at a disadvantage? Apply: How would this type of set up affect how our classroom operated if there was no teacher, yet you were still expected to get an education? Consider the idea that there is no teacher, would you still be able to receive the same level of education and would it be the same experiences as you would have in a normal classroom? Would everyone be able to get the same education? As a response, answer how would your experience in school differ if each student was responsible for their own education and there were no teachers?

3. The war is over, now what?
America was now and independent nation having won the Revolutionary War, but now what? What would the country and the government look like?

4. The Articles of Confederation
The Articles of Confederation was the name of the first constitution of the United States.
It had been started back in 1776 in the Continental Congress, and finally approved by all the states in 1781.

5. The Articles of Confederation: Achievements
Formed the first government of the U.S.
Was a loose alliance of independent States- gave some power to the central government but the States kept the greater part of the power
Able to create a government that would unify states through the Revolutionary War.
Reflected the colonists fears of a strong central government
Negotiated Treaty of Paris, which ended the Revolutionary War, and gained land from Atlantic Ocean to Mississippi River.

6. Treaty of Paris of 1783 (Red)
Illinois (IL)
Michigan (MI)
Indiana (IN)
Ohio (OH)
Wisconsin (WI)
Kentucky (KT)
Mississippi (MS)
Alabama (AL)
Tennessee (TN)

7. Achievements Northwest Ordinance of Planned for creating 5 new territories in the West. When made a state they would be equal to the original 13 states.

8. Weaknesses of the Articles of Confederation
A. No President to carry out laws
B. States had most power; Federal government had little power
C. Federal government had no power to tax people
D. No single national currency- States had their own
E. 9 out of 13 states had to approve a law before it went into effect
F. Congress was not allowed to maintain an army- only States had militias
Why are each of these considered a weakness?

9. The Articles of Confederation was weak, on purpose.
Americans were afraid of a strong national government. After all, they had fought a war over it. So, the government they decided on was weak.
The national government under the Articles did not have the power to tax or enforce laws. Those powers were left up to the states.
The national government did have the power to wage war, but since they couldn’t tax, there was no way to pay for it.
The government could also issue money, but the states didn’t have to use it. They had their own.

10. Weaknesses of the Articles of Confederation
Result
No power to tax
No money
No national executive
No enforcement of laws
Unicameral legislature
One vote / state
unequal representation
No judicial/national court
Problems with interstate
Relations
No checks & balances!
One branch of government having power all the power of the government, making it the dominant branch.

11. No regulation of commerce
Weaknesses
Results
No regulation of commerce
Economic quarrels
Government dominated by states
No foreign trade
No power to maintain army
No defense
Need 9/13 to pass a law & unanimous consent to amend
No unity
Impossible to accomplish

12. Shays’ Rebellion The American Revolution ended in 1783
The money paid to the soldiers who had fought in the Revolution was worthless.
This was because the government was not allowed to raise taxes in the Articles of Confederation.
As a result, the farmers were unable to pay their debts.

13. The farmers were taken into court, then into jail, and their land was taken away from them.
In 1786, an armed revolt by farmers against the state government took place.

14. Early in 1787, the Governor sent 4,400 men against the rebels and the rebels were defeated.
Shays and the other rebels were pardoned. (An official act of forgiveness)

15. “What a triumph for our enemies, to find that we are incapable of governing ourselves!” -George Washington, shortly after Shay’s Rebellion of 1786
1. Why does Washington consider Shay’s Rebellion a triumph for the enemies of America? 2. What do you consider to be the two major flaws in the Articles of Confederation? How would you correct them?

16. Results of Shays’ Rebellion
Shays’ Rebellion showed the leaders of America that the Articles of Confederation were too weak, and a stronger national government was needed.