Creating a Nation
The Colonies Become a Country (Handout)
The Revolutionary War was over. The Treaty of
Paris was signed in 1783. The British recognized
American’s Independence. The United States of
America included all of the land westward to the
Mississippi River. However, the British still
controlled Canada and Spain still owned the land
that is now Florida.
The Articles of Confederation
During the Revolutionary War, Congress wrote
a plan of government called the Articles of
Confederation and became the first
constitution of the United States. It was
conceived by John Dickinson. This plan
provided for a weak national government and
strong state governments. During the war,
the new states had been willing to work
together to fight the British. After the war, the
government under the Articles of
Confederation could not solve all the problems
of the new country. Changes had to be made
to the plan. Under the Articles of
Confederation, the national government had
very limited powers. The states kept
important powers such as the right to tax.
The Great Seal of the United States
The eagle on the Great Seal of the United States of
America holds in its beak a ribbon on which the Latin
motto “e pluribus unum” is inscribed. The words
mean “from many, one” and express the formidable
task that faced the founding fathers: to forge a single
nation from several states and many individuals. The
motto was chosen by a committee appointed by the
Continental Congress on July 4, 1776, and was officially
adopted on June 20, 1782.
The Articles of Confederation:
NO CHIEF EXECUTIVE.
NO NATIONAL COURT SYSTEM.
LAWS NEED APPROVAL OF 9 OF THE 13 STATES.
ALL OTHER POWERS RESERVED TO THE STATES.
CONGRESS COULD…
CONGRESS COULD NOT…
- Declare war and make peace.
- Levy taxes
- Regulate foreign or domestic trade.
- Raise an army and navy.
- Settle disputes among states.
- Make foreign treaties and alliances.
- Coin and borrow money.
- Collect state debts owed the central
- Regulate weights and measures.
government.
- Establish a post office.
- Enforce any of its powers.
- Regulate Indian Affairs.
Congress could issue directives and pass laws, but it could not enforce them. The
states either chose to comply or not. Miraculously, the Articles held the states
together during the Revolution, but it soon became clear that the Articles had created
no union. By the end of the war, the American economy was struggling to recover
from its severed trading relationship with Britain and at the same time faced crushing
debts from its new allies, France and Spain.
Questions for Thought…
Using your notes and the textbook, answer the following questions.
1. What were some weaknesses of the Articles of Confederation?
2. What did the Northwest Ordinance of 1787 address?
3. Why was there an economic depression after the Revolutionary War?
4. a) List the powers given to the Congress under the Articles of Confederation.
b) What two crucial powers did it lack?
5. a) Why did delegates from more populous states object to equal representation
in Congress?
b) Why did delegates from less populous states favour it?
6. When could a territory become a state according to the Northwest Ordinance?
7. What groups were hurt economically by the Revolutionary War?