The Articles of Confederation

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 government The Articles were accepted by Congress in 1781 and is considered the first national government

What a Government Does A government’s job is to Keep Order A government’s job is to Keep Order In order to do this they need: In order to do this they need: Army Army Money (from taxes) Money (from taxes) Laws and Rules Laws and Rules

The Articles of Confederation They were afraid to put too much power in the hands of one man. They were afraid to put too much power in the hands of one man. 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

Strengths of the Articles of Confederation The Northwest Ordinance was passed. The Northwest Ordinance was passed. 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

Weaknesses of the Articles of Confederation Congress had no power to raise taxes Congress had no power to raise taxes Congress had no power regulate trade Congress had no power regulate trade They couldn’t have a standing Army. They couldn’t have a standing Army. Congress did not have the power to enforce laws Congress did not have the power to enforce laws

Strengths of the Articles of Confederation: Settling Western Lands 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

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

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.

Vermont Republic Right after the war, Vermont declared their independence and tried forming their own country. Right after the war, Vermont declared their independence and tried forming their own country. It didn’t last too long. It didn’t last too long.

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

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

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

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”

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!

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."