The Articles of Confederation The First Attempt at Government in the United States

The Critical Period The colonies have now declared themselves free and independent states and broken away from Great Britain. Now they must form the NEW nation’s first long lasting government.

No Easy Task The delegates to the 2nd Continental Congress were attempting to codify arrangements that had never before been put into legal terminology, and to make things more complicated, they were forced to make their decisions in a wartime atmosphere. The delegates to the 2nd Continental Congress were attempting to codify arrangements that had never before been put into legal terminology, and to make things more complicated, they were forced to make their decisions in a wartime atmosphere.

The Articles of Confederation Approved Nov. 15, 1777, then offered up to the States for approval - Ratified and declared effective on March 1, 1781 Approved Nov. 15, 1777, then offered up to the States for approval - Ratified and declared effective on March 1, 1781 Established a loose “league of friendship”; move away from Britain’s unitary system Established a loose “league of friendship”; move away from Britain’s unitary system States remained sovereign within their own boundaries, but united “for their common defense, the security of their Liberties, and their mutual and general welfare…” States remained sovereign within their own boundaries, but united “for their common defense, the security of their Liberties, and their mutual and general welfare…”

The Articles of Confederation Led the nation through the Revolutionary War Led the nation through the Revolutionary War Once the British surrendered in 1781, the new nation found itself no longer united by the war effort, and the government quickly fell into chaos Once the British surrendered in 1781, the new nation found itself no longer united by the war effort, and the government quickly fell into chaos

Domination by the States The Articles established a government dominated by the states. The Articles established a government dominated by the states. The fear was that a strong central gov’t would become as tyrannical as British rule. The fear was that a strong central gov’t would become as tyrannical as British rule.

Governmental Structure Congress was the only branch of government under the Articles, and it was unicameral. Congress was the only branch of government under the Articles, and it was unicameral. No Executive No Executive or Judicial or Judicial Each state had one Each state had one vote, regardless of size

Strengths Appeared to be sufficient but actually provided for a very weak government. Appeared to be sufficient but actually provided for a very weak government. 1. Make war and peace 2. Send and receive ambassadors 3. Make treaties 4. Borrow money 5. Set up a money system 6. Establish post offices 7. Navy / Army (ask States for troops) 8. Settle disputes among states

State Obligations Each state retained its independence and sovereignty to govern within its territories; they simply pledged to obey the new government Each state retained its independence and sovereignty to govern within its territories; they simply pledged to obey the new government Provide money and troops upon request Provide money and troops upon request Retained powers not explicitly given to Congress Retained powers not explicitly given to Congress

Weaknesses Several important powers missing from Congress under the Articles… 1. Power to tax – could raise money only by borrowing or asking states (couldn’t pay off war debts) 2. Regulate trade/commerce b/w States 3. Lack of power to make States obey Articles or laws

Additional Weaknesses 4. One vote for each State, regardless of size. 5. State delegations attended haphazardly. 6. No national court system. 7. Amendment only with consent of all States. 8. A 9/13 majority required to pass laws. 9. Overall, a weak central government.

Lack of Executive Branch No Executive to force states to abide by the Treaty of Paris (1783) which ended the Revolutionary War. No Executive to force states to abide by the Treaty of Paris (1783) which ended the Revolutionary War. States passed laws allowing debtors who owed money to Great Britain to postpone payments. States passed laws allowing debtors who owed money to Great Britain to postpone payments. States opted not to restore property to citizens who had remained loyal to Great Britain. States opted not to restore property to citizens who had remained loyal to Great Britain. Both actions violated the treaty. Both actions violated the treaty.

Lack of Judicial Branch No Judicial Branch to settle the growing number of economic conflicts and boundary disputes among individual states. Several states claimed the same land. No Judicial Branch to settle the growing number of economic conflicts and boundary disputes among individual states. Several states claimed the same land.

Trade / Commerce Individual states attempted to enter into agreements with other countries Individual states attempted to enter into agreements with other countries Foreign nations were suspicious of trade agreements made with the Congress of the Confederation Foreign nations were suspicious of trade agreements made with the Congress of the Confederation For example, Massachusetts banned the export of goods in British ships, and Pennsylvania levied heavy taxes on ships of nations that had no treaties with the U.S. government For example, Massachusetts banned the export of goods in British ships, and Pennsylvania levied heavy taxes on ships of nations that had no treaties with the U.S. government

Critical Period (1780’s) War ended Oct. 19, 1781  this brought the new nation’s problems into focus. War ended Oct. 19, 1781  this brought the new nation’s problems into focus. Conflict b/w States Conflict b/w States Lack of cooperation with Central gov’t Lack of cooperation with Central gov’t

Shay’s Rebellion Economic conditions worsened and property holders began to lose their land due to lack of payment of taxes and other debts. Economic conditions worsened and property holders began to lose their land due to lack of payment of taxes and other debts. Daniel Shay’s (Officer during Revolutionary War) Daniel Shay’s (Officer during Revolutionary War) Rebellion suppressed by militia, but the nations leaders began to fear the sentiment of a growing number of Americans and understand the weaknesses of the Articles Rebellion suppressed by militia, but the nations leaders began to fear the sentiment of a growing number of Americans and understand the weaknesses of the Articles

Need for Stronger Government Articles simply unable to deal with the nation’s troubles. Articles simply unable to deal with the nation’s troubles. Meeting at Mt. Vernon Meeting at Mt. Vernon (Maryland and Virginia) (Maryland and Virginia) Annapolis Convention Annapolis Convention What did the Annapolis What did the Annapolis Convention lead to? Convention lead to?