Forming a new Government – but how? WHAT NOW?? Forming a new Government – but how?

We are Independent, but…. We are 13 separate states We are in huge debt We don’t have common money We don’t have a government We don’t have similar laws We are loyal to our states not a national gov’t We are so afraid of having another tyrant Where can we start?

STATE CONSTITUTIONS (Plan of Government) Whatever we create we want to: Spell out the rights of citizens To limit the powers of the government To keep power in the hands of the people Most states based their constitutions on their previous gov’t or even used the charter itself.

DIVIDING POWER We don’t We do want anyone to be too powerful We do Want power divided between legislative (makes laws) and executive branches (enforces laws) (bicameral) Governor carried out laws in all states except Pennsylvania

PROTECTING FREEDOMS Virginia included a bill of rights to protect the rights of citizens Other states followed along

RIGHT TO VOTE Only white males could vote Must own a certain amount of land Must pay a certain amount in taxes (is this ok)?

FORMING A NATIONAL GOVERNMENT Continental congress thought that we needed a national government in order to succeed.

FIRST NATIONAL CONSTITUTION Few people wanted a national government Most were loyal to their states States were unwilling to give up powers to a strong central government So… they formed the Articles of Confederation

The Articles of Confederation

The Articles of Confederation 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 of Confederation 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

ARTICLES OF CONFEDERATION Bottom line – states enter into a “Firm league of friendship” States retained their sovereignty, freedom, and independence Each state had one vote in continental congress 9 of 13 states had to approve a law for it to go into effect

ARTICLES OF CONFEDERATION (cont.) Could not regulate trade Could not pass laws regarding taxes Could declare war Could conduct foreign affairs Could borrow money Could appoint military officers Could coin (make) money

A LOOSE ALLIANCE National government was very weak No president to carry out laws; states had to enforce them Many disputes arose between states about what needed to be done

CHALLENGES FOR THE ARTICLES OF CONFEDERATION Americans began to wonder if the new nation could survive

TROUBLES WITH MONEY AND TRADE Owed millions of dollars, had no way to repay it. Congress could ask for money, but could not demand it. States said no. Money that had been printed was not worth anything. There was too much of it. States printed their own money. Difficult to determine value. States stopped trading with other states.

MASSACHUSETTS MONEY

MARYLAND MONEY

Georgia Money

New Jersey Money

Connecticut Money

NEW YORK MONEY

VIRGINIA MONEY

Delaware Money

New Hampshire Money

OTHER TROUBLES New York and New Hampshire both claimed Vermont. No way to settle dispute Other countries took advantage of US weaknesses

Settling new land What to do with other lands? Land Ordinance of 1785: set up a system for settling the NW Territory (west of the Ohio River) Northwest Ordinance: set up a government for the NW territory

The Land Ordinance of 1785, - settled land – new states (stated that land in the west was to be surveyed using a grid system to establish 6 mile blocks) The Northwest Ordinance - Government (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 Population of 60,000 could become a state)

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

More Trouble Money was worthless No gold or silver to back up money Economic Depression – unemployment increases Farmers having trouble lands were destroyed during war Farmers could not pay back their debt thrown in jail

Shay’s Rebellion 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

Shays’s Rebellion 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

Shays’s Rebellion The Mass militia is called out to stop it Poor farmers in 1786 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’ Rebellion Shay’s rebellion Massachusetts Unhappy farmers staged a rebellion Led by Daniel Shay Farmers tried to take a federal arsenal Militia fired, killing 4 Citizens feared that the government could not control violence

To Recap!

Weaknesses of the Articles of Confederation Congress had no power to raise taxes Congress had no power regulate foreign or state trade Laws had to be approved by 9 out of 13 states Congress did not have the power to enforce laws

Strengths of the Articles of Confederation The Northwest Ordinance was passed Land Ordinance was Passed Had the power to declare war and peace, print money, and make treaties

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! 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."