The Articles of
Confederation
The Big Idea
The weakness of the Articles of Confederation
led to demands for a stronger central
government.
The Articles of Confederation
• November 15, 1777
• “A Firm League of Friendship”
Ratified by all states March 1
• Each State keeps “its sovereignty, freedom and
independence…”
1781
• States would come together for:
• common defense
• the security of their liberties
• the mutual and general welfare
• Ratified by all states March 1 1781
• Maryland was the hold out
What it looked like
• One Congress:
Unicameral
• Delegates chosen yearly
by the state
• Each state=one vote
• 1 member chosen as
presiding officer each
year
Powers of the Central Gov
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
Make war and peace
send and receive ambassadors
borrow money
setup money system
establish post office
build a navy
raise an army → ask states for troops
fix uniform standards of weights and measures
settle disputes among the states
States agree to...
• Obey the Articles of Confederation and the
Turn to a friend:
Congress
Discuss what problems you see with this slide.
• Provide funds and troops when asked
Do you
think thisof
is going
to be
an effective
way
• Treat
citizens
other
states
fairly
of running a country?
do you
thinkCredit
will happen
something
• FullWhat
Faith
and
ofifother
states laws
goes wrong?
Weaknesses
We need a new Government
• The Articles of Confederation created a
government unable to deal as the country
grew
• need for a stronger national government
• all but Rhode Island sent delegates
• Constitutional Convention
• May 25, 1787