Articles of
Confederation
And the Constitution
Articles of Confederation
 Started in 1777
 It was a plan to join the states together
 It gave the 13 states a plan for government
 The articles were popular because it did not make the
national government too strong
 It was approved by all 13 states in 1781
T- Chart (Articles of Confed.)

1781-1787

States have the most power

No president

State courts only- no national courts

Congress has no power to tax

Congress cannot regulate trade among states

States have own money

No military

No treaties with other countries

States all had to agree to changes
The Convention
 55 delegates attended
 Held in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
 1787
 Well-educated men
 George Washington was the leader
 Delegates were important people from the other states
 They shared the same ideas about the government
Security at the Convention
 Doors to the State House were guarded
 Only delegates were allowed inside
 They were not allowed to discuss things with outsiders
 Their meetings were private and secret from the public
What were they trying to do?
 The delegates were trying to revise the Articles of
Confederation; a new plan of government was needed
 9 out of 13 states had to approve it
 On September 17, 1787 the delegates agreed and
signed the Constitution
Constitution (T-Chart)
 States have some power, most power given to nat.
govt
 President
 Military w/ president in charge
 National and state courts
 Laws passed by majority vote of both houses of
Congress
 Congress has power to tax
 Congress has power to regulate interstate and
foreign trade