Download The Articles of Confederation

The Articles of
Confederation
The First Constitution
Steps toward Self Government
 Magna Carta- 1215 King John
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powers were limited by the
nobles.
English Bill of Rights- 1689
gave people a stronger voice in
government
Enlightenment philosophersJohn Locke- social contract
between political leaders and
people they rule
Mayflower Compact- 1620
established general guidelines
for self government
Fundamental Orders of
Connecticut 1639- First written
constitution.
Vocabulary
 Constitution- A written plan for government
 Confederation- A loose association of states,
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each maintaining its own power.
Congress- The law making branch of a republic
Republic- A form of government where the people
elect representatives to govern for them.
Ratified- Approved
Suffrage- The right to vote
A of C (Articles of Confederation)
 The Articles were passed in 1777 and
ratified in 1781
A of C
 What are some reasons that you can think of
that the 13 states did not want a strong
national government?
A of C
 Because the states had nearly all of the
power in this form of government there were
many problems (weaknesses) with the
Articles of Confederation.
Weaknesses of the A of C
 Each state had their own money. Many states
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would not accept the money of other states.
Trade between the states was difficult
Interstate Commerce- Trade between the states
Tariff- A tax on imports and exports
In congress, each state only had one vote,
regardless of the population.
The federal government had no power to enforce
the laws.
Weaknesses of the A of C
 The national government was deeply in
debt.
 It owed France and Spain for money
borrowed during the revolution
 It owed continental soldiers from the war
 Continental dollars were worthless. The
phrase “not worth a continental” comes
from this debt.
Weaknesses of the A of C
 The federal government had no power to
tax.
 It had to ask the states to give them
money
Weaknesses of the A of C
 The articles had no provision for a strong
president
Weaknesses of the A of C
 There were no national courts
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The national government could not punish
lawbreakers
There was no supreme court to judge the
laws
Weaknesses of the A of C
 The United States did not have a national
army
 The United States did not have a national
navy
 The government in times of need had to
ask each state to send troops
Weaknesses of the A of C
 The national government had NO power to
settle disputes between the states.
 The national government had NO power to
control trade, between the states or with
foreign countries
Weaknesses of the A of C
 Passing laws in congress was difficult.
 To pass a law it took 9 out of 13 to agree
Weaknesses of the A of C
 To change a law in congress it took a
unanimous vote of all the states
A of C
 A couple good thing under the Articles
government was passing the Land Ordinance and
the Northwest Ordinance.
 This land was the land North of the Ohio R. It
included Illinois, Indiana, Michigan, Ohio, and
Wisconsin. (Big Ten)
 This system set up the surveying and selling of
the land to the public, and also how to bring new
states into the union.
 Outlawed slavery in these new territories
Troubles
 Many state leaders began to criticize the weak
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confederation.
“ Our federal government is but a name; a mere
shadow without substance.”
Inflation- increased prices for goods and services
Depression- a period of low economic activity
Debtors- people who owe money
Creditors- People who lend money
Shay’s Rebellion
 Revolt by farmers in Mass. Led by Daniel
Shay Sept 1786
 Helped reveal weakness’ in A of C
 Rebellion upset many political leaders
 G.W. “I am mortified beyond expression”
 T.J. “A little rebellion now and then is a good
thing.”