1. The Articles of Confederation

2. The Articles were written in 1777 by John Dickinson, a Penn. statesman The Articles were written in 1777 by John Dickinson, a Penn. statesman The Articles were accepted by Congress in 1781 and is considered the first national constitution The Articles were accepted by Congress in 1781 and is considered the first national constitution

3. 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 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 In the Articles the state governments limit the power of the national Congress

4. Strengths of the Articles of Confederation The Treaty of Paris 1783 was signed The Treaty of Paris 1783 was signed The Northwest Ordinance was past The Northwest Ordinance was past Had the power to declare war and peace, print money, make treaties and settle state disputes Had the power to declare war and peace, print money, make treaties and settle state disputes

5. Strengths of the Articles of Confederation: Settling Western Lands The Land Ordinance of 1785, stated that land in the west was to be surveyed using a grid system to establish 6 mile blocks The Land Ordinance of 1785, stated that land in the west was to be surveyed using a grid system to establish 6 mile blocks The Northwest Ordinance assisted in the orderly expansion of the United States, it outlined a plan for applying for statehood to western territories The Northwest Ordinance assisted in the orderly expansion of the United States, it outlined a plan for applying for statehood to western territories 5,000 free males who own 50 acres can start govt 5,000 free males who own 50 acres can start govt Population of 60,000 could become a state Population of 60,000 could become a state

6. Settling Western lands The Northwest Ordinance provides an orderly settlement process in the West The Northwest Ordinance provides an orderly settlement process in the West It promised It promised no slavery no slavery education education freedom of religion freedom of religion trial by jury trial by jury

7. Northwest Territory The Northwest Territory was east of the Mississippi River and north of the Ohio River. The states of Ohio, Indiana, Illinois, Michigan, and Wisconsin would be formed from this area.

8. Weaknesses of the Articles of Confederation

9. Reasons for Shay’s Rebellion Farmers are required to pay debts in gold, they have no money because they were not paid during the war Farmers are required to pay debts in gold, they have no money because they were not paid during the war Wealthy lawmakers invested their money in the war too. And seek to get money from the farmers debts Wealthy lawmakers invested their money in the war too. And seek to get money from the farmers debts

10. Shays’s Rebellion Poor farmers are not represented in the Mass legislature and cannot pass debt relief laws Poor farmers are not represented in the Mass legislature and cannot pass debt relief laws The rebellion will free debtors from prisons and close courts that are hearing cases against farmers The rebellion will free debtors from prisons and close courts that are hearing cases against farmers

11. Shays’s Rebellion The Mass militia is called out to stop it The Mass militia is called out to stop it Poor farmers in 1791 elect officials who support their stance and will close courthouses and demand financial help from the Congress Poor farmers in 1791 elect officials who support their stance and will close courthouses and demand financial help from the Congress Shays’s Rebellion will prompt national leaders to create a stonger central government Shays’s Rebellion will prompt national leaders to create a stonger central government

12. Samuel Adams Said What?! “Rebellion against a king may be pardoned, or lightly punished, but the man who dares to rebel against the laws of a republic ought to suffer death”

13. Views about Shays’s Rebellion Adams will also write a law called the Riot Act, which prohibits 12 people or more from meeting and gives the government the power to shoot rioters! Adams will also write a law called the Riot Act, which prohibits 12 people or more from meeting and gives the government the power to shoot rioters! Samuel sure has changed since 1776! Samuel sure has changed since 1776!

14. Thomas Jefferson Said What?! "A little rebellion now and then is a good thing. It is a medicine necessary for the sound health of government. God forbid that we should ever be twenty years without such a rebellion."

16. Arguments ForArguments Against Most political power belonged to the states. Congress could not collect taxes. States could send as many representatives to Congress as they wished, although each state had only one vote in Congress. Changes to the Articles required a unanimous vote, making it difficult at times for the national government to operate. The Articles kept power in the hands of the people and helped maintain a democratic republic. Nationalists believed ordinary people would not wisely control so much power. The government under the Articles was sufficient to win independence from Britain. Lack of a national court system and national economic policies could create chaos. The Articles of Confederation

17. WeaknessesEffect No power to levy or collect taxes The government was always short of money No power to regulate interstate or foreign trade Economic quarrels between states, difficult to arrange trade with other countries No power for law enforcement Government depended on states to enforce laws Nine states needed to approve laws Difficult to enact laws Amendments to the Articles required consent of all 13 states Difficult to change the powers of the government No executive branch No effective way to coordinate the government No national court system Difficult to settle disputes among the states Weaknesses of the Articles of Confederation