ARTICLES OF CONFEDERATION

SS.7.C.1.5

SOURCE: FLORIDA JOINT CENTER OF CITIZENSHIP

VOCABULARY

• Articles of Confederation: the first constitution of the United States, adopted in 1781 and replaced in 1789

• Confederation: a system of government where power is located with the independent states and there is little power in the central government

• Constitutional Convention: a meeting in Philadelphia in 1787 where delegates decided to throw out the Articles of Confederation and draft the Constitution

• Debt: something owed; such as money

• Shay’s Rebellion: something owed; such as money

BACKGROUND

• The Articles of Confederation was written in 1777 and finally ratified, or approved, by the original thirteen states in 1781. Maryland was the last state to ratify the document in 1781. The confederation was the first government of the newly formed United States. Unfortunately, the Articles of Confederation had many weaknesses.

WEAKNESSES• Congress could not tax, so the U.S. could not raise an army. When farmers protested

the banks foreclosing on their farms, the government could not send an army to stop the protesting (Shay’s Rebellion).

• Congress could not regulate trade.

• Congress could not enforce laws.

• No central leadership.

• No central judicial branch.

• Required unanimous approval of all 13 states in order to change any part of the articles.