1. + ARTICLES OF CONFEDERATION

2. + I. NEED TO FORM A NEW GOVERNMENT A. English Law 1. Magna Carta 2. English Bill of Rights B. Enlightenment Writers 1. Reason and belief in human goodness 2. John Locke a. Social contract b. Unalienable rights

3. + C. American Political Traditions 1. New England town meeting 2. Virginia House of Burgesses D. American Written Documents 1. Mayflower Compact 2. Fundamental Orders of Connecticut

4. + II. State Constitutions A. Beliefs 1. Republicanism 2. Limited government B. Individual Rights 1. Virginia Declaration of Rights a. Trial by jury b. Freedom of press c. Private ownership of property 2. Freedom of Religion 3. Suffrage – voting rights

5. + III. Forming a National Government A. June 12, 1776 Committee of Thirteen B. Articles of Confederation C. Second Continental Congress passed Articles of Confederation – November 15, 1777 1. All 13 had to ratify 2. March 1781 – 1 st National Government in effect

6. + IV. Pending Issues A. War debt – how to raise money B. New territory 1. Land Ordinance of 1785 2. Northwest Ordinance of 1787 a. Created Northwest Territory b. Created system to admit new states

7. + Articles of the Confederation V. Weaknesses (weak on purpose) A. One vote per state B. Cannot levy taxes C. Cannot regulate trade (foreign or interstate) D. Could not create an army E. No executive F. No national court G. 9 out of 13 to pass laws H. Amending requires consent of all 13 states I. “firm league of friendship”

8. + VI. Shays’ Rebellion A. Angry poor farmers – could not pay taxes in gold B. Forced to pay or lose land and go to jail C. Poor farmers not represented in Massachusetts legislature and cannot pass debt relief laws. D. Rebellion to free debtors from prison and close courts E. Governor sends men in and defeats rebels F. 14 leaders sentenced to death G. Shays and others were pardoned – official act of forgiveness H. Washington embarrassed I. Jefferson proud