EQ: What are the
Articles of Confederation?
The Articles of Confederation represent the first constitutional
agreement made between the 13 American states.
WHY WAS IT WRITTEN?
There was a need for UNITY among the new states that were
created as a result of the American Revolution. The powers of
the individual states and the Continental Congress also needed
to be defined for the young country.
This federal constitution was called the
Articles of Confederation and was submitted to the Second
Continental Congress on July 12, 1776, 8 days after the signing
of the Declaration of Independence.
Drafting the
Articles of Confederation
√ The Articles were written in 1777
by a Pennsylvania statesman
named John Dickinson.
√ The Articles were accepted by
Congress in 1781 and is considered
the FIRST national constitution
The Articles of Confederation
√ The fear of having too much
power in one person’s hands reflects
the experiences the colonies had
under a monarchy (King George III)
√ In the Articles the state
governments limit the power of the
National Congress
What were the Weaknesses of the
Articles of Confederation?
√ Congress had no power to raise taxes
√ Congress had no power regulate commerce foreign or state trade
√ Laws had to be approved by 9 out of 13 states
√ Congress did not have the power to enforce laws
This means the government was dependent on the
willingness of the various states to carry out its
measures, and often the states refused to cooperate.
Strengths of the
Articles of Confederation
√ The Treaty of Paris was signed
√ The Northwest Ordinance was passed
√ Had the power to declare war and peace,
make treaties, print money, and settle disputes
among states
Other Strengths of the Articles of Confederation:
Settling Western Lands
√ The Land Ordinance of 1785, stated that land in
the west was to be surveyed using a grid system to
establish 6 mile blocks
√ The Northwest Ordinance assisted in the
orderly expansion of the United States, it outlined
a plan for applying for statehood to western
territories
√ 5,000 free males who own 50 acres can start
government
√ Population of 60,000 could become a state
Settling Western Lands
The Northwest Ordinance
provides an orderly settlement
process in the West. It promised:
√ no slavery
√ education
√ freedom of religion
√ trial by jury
Northwest Territory
√ The Northwest Territory
was east of the Mississippi
River and north of the
Ohio River.
The states of Ohio,
Indiana, Illinois, Michigan,
& Wisconsin would be
formed from this area.
Shays’ Rebellion
√ Poor farmers are not
represented in the Mass
legislature and cannot pass debt
relief laws
√ The rebellion will free debtors
from prisons and close courts that
are hearing cases against farmers
Reasons for Shay’s Rebellion
√ Farmers are required to pay
debts in gold, they have no money
because they were not paid during
the war
√ Wealthy lawmakers invested
their money in the war too and
seek to get money from the
farmers debts
Shays’ Rebellion
√ The Mass militia is called out to stop it
√ Poor farmers in 1791 elect officials who
support their stance and will close
courthouses and demand financial help
from the Congress
√ Shays’ Rebellion prompted national
leaders to create a stronger central
government
Thomas Jefferson once said…
"A little rebellion now and then is a
good thing. It is a medicine necessary
for the sound health of government.
God forbid that we should ever be
twenty years without such a
rebellion."
SO, let’s REVIEW…