THE FIRST CONSTITUTION OF THE UNITED
STATES OF AMERICA: THE ARTICLES OF
CONFEDERATION
OBJECTIVES: BY THE END OF CLASS,
STUDENTS WILL BE ABLE TO:
� Describe
the framework of the
original constitution, the
Articles of Confederation.
� Analyze how the structure of
the Articles of Confederation
will lead to Shay’s Rebellion.
THE AMERICAN REVOLUTION IS OVER,
NOW WHAT?
� America
was now an
independent nation having won
the Revolutionary War, but
now what? What would the
country and the government
look like? What would be the
first Constitution of the new
nation?
THE ARTICLES OF
CONFEDERATION
THE ARTICLES OF
CONFEDERATION
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The Articles of
Confederation was the
first Constitution of the
United States of
America
The Articles were
written in 1777 by John
Dickinson.
The Articles were
accepted by Congress
in 1781.
STRUCTURE OF GOVERNMENT UNDER
THE ARTICLES OF CONFEDERATION
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Unicameral (single house) legislative body
Each state had one vote regardless of
population size
Congress given sole authority to govern the
country
An executive committee oversaw
government when Congress was not in
session
Congress would establish temporary courts to
hear disputes among the states
There was no Court System or Executive
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POWERS GRANTED TO GOVERNMENT
UNDER THE ARTICLES OF
CONFEDERATION
� Declare war and make peace
� Make treaties with foreign countries
� Establish an army and navy
� Print and borrow money
� Establish weights and measures
� Hear disputes among the states related
to trade or boundaries
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STRENGTHS OF THE ARTICLES OF
CONFEDERATION
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The Treaty of Paris 1783 was signed under the
Articles of Confederation, ending the American
Revolution
Had the power to declare war and peace, print
money, make treaties and settle state disputes
The Northwest Ordinance was passed.
It: assisted in the orderly expansion of the United States,
it outlined a plan for applying for statehood to western
territories
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5,000 free males who own 50 acres can start government
Population of 60,000 could become a state
Northwest Ordinance prohibited slavery in these new territories
NORTHWEST TERRITORY
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The Northwest Territory
was east of the Mississippi
River and north of the Ohio
River. The states of Ohio,
Indiana, Illinois, Michigan,
and Wisconsin would be
formed from this area.
PROBLEMS FACING THE NEW
NATION
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Trade with
foreign
nations
Financing the
nation
Foreign
relations
Interstate
relations
A 1783 cartoon satirizing relations
between Britain and America
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THE ARTICLES OF CONFEDERATION
WERE WEAK, ON PURPOSE
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One of the results of the American Revolution was the
strong initial desire for a weak central government.
A weak central government was desired by the majority,
since they had just fought a war to rid themselves of the
King, who in their eyes represented the strong central
government.
As a result, under the Articles of Confederation, the states
had more power than the national government.
The national government under the Articles did not have the
power to tax or enforce laws.
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. The states had their own money.
During this time in history, there was no uniform national
currency. Each state had its own currency. How could this
be a problem?
VARIOUS CURRENCIES FROM AROUND
THE UNITED STATES
WEAKNESSES OF THE ARTICLES OF
CONFEDERATION
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Congress had no power to raise taxes
Congress had no power regulate foreign or
state trade
Laws had to be approved by 9 out of 13
states
Congress did not have the power to
enforce laws
Since the national government could not
tax, and the national money was worthless,
debt became a huge problem.
GEORGE WASHINGTON SAID:
“The states during this period (1783-1787) were
held together by a rope of sand.”
WEAKNESSES OF THE ARTICLES
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biggest problem was that the
soldiers who had fought the war,
had not been paid.
� Most of the soldiers were farmers,
and they were unable to pay their
debts.
� What will these weaknesses lead
to?
SO,
WHAT HAPPENED
NEXT?
SHAY’S REBELLION
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Shay's Rebellion
SHAYS’ REBELLION
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Farmers were taken into
court, then to jail, and
their land was taken
away from them because
they were in debt.
In 1786, an armed revolt
by farmers against the
state government took
place.
The revolt was led by
Daniel Shays.
Daniel Shays was a
veteran of the American
Revolution who had not
been paid for his services
during the war.
REASONS FOR SHAY’S
REBELLION
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Farmers are required to pay
debts in gold, they have no
money because they were
not paid during the war
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
SHAY’S REBELLION REACTION AND
AFTERMATH
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Shay’s Rebellion would be terminated
by the local Militia.
Shay’s Rebellion will show the nation
that a stronger central government is
needed.
Shay’s Rebellion, while unsuccessful,
sparked fear among Americans that
unless changes were made, the
potential for future Rebellions was a
reality.
ARTICLES OF CONFEDERATION
CONCLUSION
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The Articles of Confederation were weak
by design
The AOC weaknesses far outweighed its
strengths
Under the Articles of Confederation, the
nation could not survive long term.
Shay’s Rebellion would ultimately lead to
the Constitutional Convention in
Philadelphia in 1787.