The Critical
Period
(Chapter 2, Section 3)
The Articles of Confederation
Congress debated for 17 months on how to
unite the former colonies (now states)
Approved on November 15, 1777 but not
enacted until March 1, 1871
Established a “firm league of friendship”
among the states – Is this really effective?
Why or why not? – Each state kept its own
powers
The states would come together for their
common defense and mutual welfare
The Articles of Confederation
Ratification (formal approval) was needed by
the states
11 out of 13 states ratified it within one
year
Delaware approved it in February of 1779
Maryland approved it on March 1, 1871, and
the Second Continental Congress declared the
Articles effective on that date
Weaknesses of the Articles
Only a “firm league of friendship” among states
Only one vote for each State, regardless of size
Congress could make war and peace, send and receive
ambassadors, make treaties, borrow money, establish post offices
Congress powerless to levy taxes
Congress powerless to regulate commerce/trade
No executive power to enforce acts of Congress
No national court system
Amendments require the consent of ALL states, not just a
majority
A 9/13 majority was required to pass laws
States had a lot of power and were primarily responsible for
protecting life and property and for promoting the safety and
happiness of the people
The Critical Period
 States argued amongst themselves, and there was no
central government to mediate
 States started refusing to support the weak central
government, and some states went so far as to make
agreements with foreign countries without the approval
of Congress
 Most states organized their own military forces
 States taxed one another’s goods and banned some
trade
 States printed their own money
 Prices increased, debts skyrocketed, violence broke
out
The Critical Period
• Western Massachusetts – Shays’ Rebellion
– As economic conditions worsened, property holders
(small farmers) began to lose their land and
possessions due to non-payment of taxes and other
debt
– Fall of 1786, Daniel Shays led an armed uprising that
forced many State judges to close their courts
– The rebellion was hard to put down because there was
not a strong central government
– Massachusetts Legislature eventually passed laws to
ease the burden of debtors
A Need for Stronger Government
 Under the Articles, the government was unable to deal
with the nation’s troubles
 Mount Vernon – Maryland and Virginia took 1st step
towards change
The two states agreed to resolve conflicts over
commerce and navigation on the Potomac River and
Chesapeake Bay
Representatives from each of the two states met at
George Washington’s home (Mount Vernon)
The meeting was successful and the Virginia General
Assembly called for “a joint meeting of the States
to consider and recommend a federal plan for
regulating commerce.”
A Need for Stronger Government
 Annapolis – Representatives from only 5 states: New
York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Delaware, and
Virginia
Alexander Hamilton (New York) and James Madison
(Virginia) persuaded those in attendance to call for
another meeting of the States
Min-February of 1787, Seven States named
delegates to the meeting in Philadelphia
The Philadelphia Meeting became known as the
Constitutional Convention
Originally meant to redesign the Articles of Confederation
but evolved into a meeting to create an entirely new kind
of Government for the United States of America