The Articles of Confederation completed Study Guide w/Review Questions
The First Constitution
of
The United States of America
Effective 1781
SWBAT
While the United States of America were organized under the Articles of Confederation,
1. Describe how EXPANSION issues were settled.
2. Describe how FOREIGN RELATIONS were handled.
3. Explain how Shay’s Rebellion demonstrated weaknesses in the AOC.
After the Revolution and before the CONSTITUTION
•
The colonies were organized under the Articles Of Confederation (AOC)
•
The AOC recognized State & Federal power
•
The AOC worked during war because of the clear purpose of the Federal or national government
•
The AOC had problems in peace because Stated retained too much power and did not work well
with each other – we essentially had 13 countries deciding to work with each other, rather than
one united country
Articles of Confederation Matrix: Key Ideas
From the matrix, prove that the AOC enforced State sovereignty as opposed to Central Authority.
Which feature will cause the most problems?
Internal Problems: General
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Relations between the states were deteriorating
•
Boundary between states were disputed
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Levying of duties on “imported” goods from state to state (taxes)
•
Differing paper currencies between the states
•
Fear of Massachusetts problems spreading
Internal problems: Massachusetts
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Crop prices fell, farmers were in debt
•
Rich lenders ran legislature and court, were in charge
•
Paper money became worthless
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Farmers were losing farms to bankruptcy
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Petitions for reforms were submitted & denied
•
So . . .
Shays’ Rebellion
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A “little rebellion.”
•
Began 29 AUG 1786
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Initially sporadic and widespread
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several leaders of the rebellion jailed
•
Daniel Shays leads 1,500 to 2,000 men and occupies the Supreme Courthouse and later leads an
assault on a federal arsenal
•
Ended 03 FEB 1787 when 4,400 militia attack and scatter Shays’ men
Shays’ Reaction: Some were in Favor…
Thomas Jefferson, Letter to James Madison, from Paris, Jan. 30, 1787
"I hold it that a little rebellion now and then is a good thing, and as necessary in the political world as
storms in the physical. Unsuccessful rebellions, indeed, generally establish the encroachments on the
rights of the people which have produced them. An observation of this truth should render honest
republican governors so mild in their punishment of rebellions as not to discourage them too much. It is
a medicine necessary for the sound health of the government."
Shays: Reaction Against…
George Washington, Letter to James Madison, Nov. 5, 1786
•
"Let us look to our National character, and to things beyond the present period. No Morn ever
dawned more favourable than ours did-and no day was ever more clouded than the present!
Wisdom, & good examples are necessary at this time to rescue the political machine from the
impending storm."
Chief Justice William Cushing, Supreme Judicial Court, in the Hampshire Gazette, June 6, 1787
•
"[I fear] evil minded persons, leaders of the insurgents...[waging war] against the
Commonwealth, to bring the whole government and all the good people of this state, if not
continent, under absolute command and subjugation to one or two ignorant, unprincipled,
bankrupt, desperate individuals."
Expansion Problems: problems moving westward
•
Solved through the Northwest Ordinance
•
Rather than enlarge Eastern states – MAKE NEW STATES!
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The Land:
•
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North of the Ohio River
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West of the Appalachian Mtns
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East of the Mississippi River
Requirements:
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5,000 population to become territory
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60,000 population to become state
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Encouraged religion and Education as the foundations of a free state
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No Slavery was allowed in the new states!!
External Problem #1: England
•
Great Britain sent no Foreign Minister
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England did not leave the NW territory
•
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Incited Indians
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Dominated the fur trade
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Closed ports to Am ships in Canada and W. Indies
Debts were not being paid as Treaty required
External Problem #2: Spain & France
•
•
Spain
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Closed Mississippi River to Am ships
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Claimed land granted to USA under Treaty
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Plotted w/Indians to hinder western settlement
France demanded loan repayment
Land Ordinance of 1785

Created rules for expansion: a system of surveying and dividing western lands
Northwest Ordinance 1787



Created rules for political systems in new territories including: Illinois, Indiana, Ohio, Michigan,
Minnesota, and Wisconsin
Once territory reached population of 60,000, they can draft their own constitution and apply for
statehood
Encouraged freedom of religious expression, rights to education, rights of Native Americans, and
limited expansion of slavery into new states.
Study Notes for Sect 6.1 & 6.2
Dates Articles of Confederation in effect: ______ to _______
Define:
Unicameral:
Sovereign:
Confederation:
Key elements of the AoC:
What was required for laws to be approved?
What were some things the Cont. Cong. had to ask for from the states? Why was it set up that way?
Who was the arbiter of disputes between states? What problems could that cause?
Describe problems that arose while under the AoC:
Boundary Disputes:
Duties on “imports & exports”:
Currencies:
What were the boundaries of the Northwest Territory?
What were three requirements to become a state?
Describe Foreign relations:
Spain:
France:
England:
Why did states change their mind about discussing the weaknesses of the AoC between September 1786
in Annapolis and May 1787 in Philadelphia? Describe the reason fully.