Life Under the Articles of Confederation This is the first constitution of the newly formed nation. “Articles of Confederation and perpetual Union…” Why is the word perpetual significant? In effect from when replaced by current Constitution Took several years to ratify Western Land claims was a sticking point

Weaknesses Unicameral legislature so no separation of power Weak Central Government, very limited power No executive, no judiciary No power to tax Unanimous approval needed to amend Decisions required 9 out of 13 votes Congress does not have the power to regulate commerce which causes competition among states. Each state gets one vote What issues will the new Nation face due to the weaknesses of the Articles of Confederation? (Composition Book) Why would they design a weak government at such a critical time?

Ordinances Land 1785 Northwest 1787

Land Ordinance of 1785 Provided for orderly settlement of land North of the Ohio River Surveyed land into townships of 6 miles square. Each township was 36 sections of 1 mile square Each section contained 640 acres. Why are these survey’s so important? What does it lead to? Why are these survey’s so important? What does it lead to?

Survey the Land 6 Mile by 6 Mile squares Each of 36 sections is one mile by one mile square 16 th sections was reserved for public education What does this say about the Ordinance?

The Northwest Ordinance of 1787 Made provision for governing the territory Why is this critical? Why is this critical? No more than 5 states in the Northwest Territory Congress appoints a Governor and 3 judges to administer the territory When population reached 60,000 people could write a constitution and apply for statehood.

Restrictions on the territories Government had to be a republic Guarantee religious freedom and trial by jury Who would have been the advocate for religious freedom and why? Who would have been the advocate for religious freedom and why? Prohibited slaveholding Why doesn’t the South fight this provision? Why doesn’t the South fight this provision? What does this say about the future of slavery in the new Nation? What does this say about the future of slavery in the new Nation?

Importance of these 2 ordinances The ordinance spurred the westward movement of American settlers It overturned the colonial idea that newly settled lands would be subservient to established areas It established the format for American land policy for years to come The law provided the first national limitation upon the expansion of slavery.

States Come Out of Northwest Territory Michigan Ohio Indiana Illinois Wisconsin

Summary Land Ordinance: Surveys the land for sale. Why is this the important 1 st step? Why is this the important 1 st step? Northwest Ordinance of 1787 provides for government and admission into the Union. Why are these provisions critical to the development of the Nation? Why are these provisions critical to the development of the Nation? What future President was the driving force behind the Ordinances’ and why? What future President was the driving force behind the Ordinances’ and why?