The Articles of Confederation

The Articles of Confederation● The Articles were written

in 1777 by John Dickinson, a Penn. statesman

● The Articles were accepted by Congress in 1781 and are considered the first national constitution

The Articles of Confederation

● The new United States wanted a government that:● Has enough power to do its job● Considers the needs of all states● Protects individual rights● Doesn’t give anyone too much power● Lets people have a say

The Articles of Confederation

● The fear of having too much power in one person’s hands reflects the experiences the colonies had under a monarchy

● In the Articles, the state governments limit the power of the national Congress

A Perfect Alliance

● Continued structure and operation of the government established by the Second Continental Congress

● Established a loose alliance between the 13 states● Each state was independent with its own

government

A Perfect Alliance

● Confederation – a group of individuals united together for a purpose

● Each state would send representatives to the Congress of the Confederation

Articles of Confederation Structure

● Unicameral (single-chamber)● No Senate or House of Reps

● Each state had 1 vote in Congress, regardless of size or population

● Congress was the only central government

● No President

Articles’ Powers

● Make war and peace● Send/receive

ambassadors● Enter treaties● Raise/equip navy● Maintain army by

requesting troops from states

● Appoint military officers● Fix standards of weights

and measures● Regulate Indian affairs● Establish post offices● Decide certain disputes

between states● All other powers reside in

the states

Achievements of the Articles of Confederation

● Signed peace treaty with England● The Treaty of Paris 1783 was signed

● Fair development of western land● The Land Ordinance of 1785 and the

Northwest Ordinance were passed

● Encouraged “full faith and credit” of states● States to honor legal acts of other states

Pros of the Articles

● States kept their power and independence

● Congress could provide a military to protect the United States

Weaknesses of the Articles of Confederation

● Congress had no power to raise taxes● Congress had no power to regulate foreign or

state trade● Laws had to be approved by 9 out of 13 states

● Not all delegates in congress at same time● 5 small states could block larger states

● Congress did not have the power to enforce laws● No executive branch● No national court system

Shays’ Rebellion

● Debt from the Revolution played a huge role

● Farmers were taxed heavily, and many lost farms

● Rebellion rose up, but Congress had no power to call in army● Alarmed many in power, called for revision

Changes of the Constitution

● The Constitution solved many of the problems from the Articles

● Three branches of government● The legislative branch made the laws

● Congress had two chambers● Senate – each state has two votes● House of Representatives – state votes based

on population

Changes of the Constitution

● Under the Constitution, laws passed by Congress are superior to state laws

● The Constitution is easier to change than the Articles were

EXTRA! EXTRA! READ ALL ABOUT IT!!! EXTRA! EXTRA! READ ALL ABOUT IT!!!

You are the star reporter for the DAILY AMERICAN, a newspaper which has been published since the Declaration of Independence was signed. The mission of the DAILY AMERICAN is to keep the American people updated on all the news about the emerging United States of America. You have received (from a reliable source) some information entitled, “The Need for a New Plan of Government.” (See YOUR notes) You want to dazzle both the American people and the Editor-in-Chief of the paper by delivering this information in a way that they’ll be able to understand it.

Newspaper Topics

Articles of Confederation

● 2 powers granted by the Articles

● 2 powers not granted by the Articles

● at least one problem with the way the Articles are set up.

Shay’s Rebellion

● What was?● What did it cause to be

re-examined? Why?● What changed as a

result of it?

Dear Abby Example:

Dear Abby,

My girlfriend says that the Articles of Confederation were not all bad as a system of government. She says that even though the Articles had some problems, that they did establish some good governmental principles. I say she’s wrong. Who’s right ?

Signed,

Battle Fatigued in Brooklyn

Dear Battle Fatigued,

Although the Articles of Confederation did have some problems, such as limiting Congress’s powers to pass laws, levy and collect taxes and regulate trade, it did establish some sound governmental principles. The Articles allowed Congress to declare war and to sign peace and other international treaties. Perhaps most significantly, it enabled the United States to stay together and to win the Revolutionary War. So, even though there were some problems with the Articles they weren’t all bad. You owe your Sweetie an apology!