The Articles of Confederation
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The nation’s first
Constitution
A Confederation is a
political organization in
which the sovereign
states combine for
certain specified
purposes.
US: a Confederation
from 1776 - 1788
1776
We’ve Declared our Independence, so now
what?
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Although Independence
from British Sovereignty
had been declared, the
former 13 colonies needed
some form of government
to wage war
Each new state (13)
created its own individual
government
States’ sovereignty was
considered most important
The Business of Rebellion
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June 7, 1776
Richard Henry Lee
introduced resolutions
to the Second
Continental Congress
1 was for a declaration
of independence; 2nd
was the blueprint of a
national government
…..and this led to…
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Declaration of Independence
 Articles of Confederation
Was this easy to create?
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NO!!
Fear of creating an all-powerful national
government that would trod on the states’
powers
Fear that some states would be more
powerful within this national government
Problem #1- Fear of strong national
government
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Once the Rev. War
began, each state was
like a separate nation
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Each with own
constitution
Each with unique
government
To the people, each
state was their “country”
Founders’ Concerns
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Agreed that a national government was
needed
Felt that the British government had
deprived citizens of their right to be
represented in government.
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Concerned that if a strong central government
were formed, it would be too powerful and far
away from the concerns of the people
Control of government by the people
Classical view of government
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Enlightenment Philosophy: belief that
government is inherently evil and that
people should be immediately involved in
their own governance
Republican government
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Could only succeed in small communities
Successful only at local level between people of
shared geographic interests
Founders’ Solution to Problem #1
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Create a weak national government
The national government would be
composed of the Confederation Congress
(CC)
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No executive branch (today, the President)
No judicial branch (court system, today, the
Supreme Court)
So who had the power to run the
country?
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The STATES!!
The State governments had
absolute authority over their
citizens
Congress had no authority to
collect taxes. It could request
money from the states, but
the states could refuse.
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Each state issued its own
unique currency
The states regulated all trade
between themselves
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New York Colonial Currency
Problem #2 – Fear that some states would
dominate in the national government
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Each state was concerned with its interests
Most concerned with each state’s vote in
Congress
Each state = 1 vote, or each state’s vote
based on population or wealth
Concern that if majority vote rules, that
majority would act at the expense of the
minority
Founders’ Solution to Problem #2
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Each state received 1 vote in Congress
Congress could create laws, but 9 of the 13
states had to approve before going into
effect
Critical Thinking Group Question
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During the years of the Revolutionary War,
the Articles of Confederation were more
successful than after the war. What factors
may have allowed for this?