The Articles of Confederation
In 1781, the Continental Congress approved the Articles of
Confederation. This was the 1st government of the United
States. It lasted until 1787.
The Articles of Confederation
 The Articles of Confederation (A. of
C.) were adopted after the
Revolutionary War (1781-1787)
 A loose organization of states
 Come together mainly for defense
 More power given to the states, not
the national (federal) government
 Overall, power is limited and the
government is weak. This is on
purpose!!!
 Why not give more power to the
national government instead?
 The states feared a centralized
government would limit their rights,
and possibly lead to a dictator or king
What does the A. of C. say?
 “Each state retains its
sovereignty, freedom, and
independence, and every
Power, Jurisdiction, and
right, which is not by this
confederation expressly
delegated to the United
States, in Congress
assembled.”
 More power given to the
states than the national
government
 “States’ Rights”
What does the A. of C. say?
 “In determining questions in the
united States, in Congress
assembled, each State shall have
one vote.”
 “The committee of the States, or
any nine of them, shall be
authorized to execute, in the
recess of congress, such of the
powers of congress as the united
States in congress assembled, by
the consent of the nine States”
 Regardless of population, all
states have one vote.
 To pass laws, 9 of 13 states are
required (2/3)
What does the A. of C. say?
 “The said States hereby
severally enter into a firm
league of friendship with each
other, for their common
defense, the security of their
liberties, and their mutual and
general welfare, binding
themselves to assist each other,
against all force offered to, or
attacks made upon them…”
 The states are unified
mostly for the purpose of
defense
 the United States are more
like 13 separate countries
with a defense alliance
What does the A. of C. say?
 The national
government can:
 Declare war
 Make peace
 Sign treaties
 Borrow money
 Make treaties with
Native Americans
 The national
government cannot:
 Collect taxes
 Control foreign or
domestic trade
 Amend (change)
the A. of C. unless
all 13 states agreed
 Force the states to
do anything
How did the A. of C. deal with Western lands?
 Northwest
Ordinance of 1787
 Law passed by
Congress to deal
with western lands
 Outlaws slavery in
this region
 Provides a system
for territories to
become states
 Considered the
most important
success of the A.
of C.
Why didn’t the A. of C. succeed?
 Because the national government was weak
 No army, no way to collect taxes, no court system, etc
 Because the states didn’t get along
 Created their own money, taxed people from other states
 1786—Shay’s Rebellion
 Revolt of farmers against high
taxes in Massachusetts
 National government could not
help Massachusetts stop the
revolt
 Revolt fails, but it convinces many
Americans that they need a
stronger federal government
 1787—States meet in Philadelphia
to create a new government (U.S.
Constitution)
Wrap Up
 What were the goals of the people who created the Articles
of Confederation?
 What were its strengths?
 What were its weaknesses?
 Why did it ultimately not last?
 What would replace the Articles of Confederation?