Articles of Confederation The first Constitution of the US 1781-1789

Confederation of Independent States Individual colonies became states Reluctant to unite under a strong central govt. The articles were similar to Iroquois Confederation and the Albany Plan of Ben Franklin The era of Articles became know as the “Critical Period”

Articles Confederation Weaknesses Unicameral government The government couldn’t enact or collect taxes Congress could not regulate interstate or foreign trade 2/3 majority (9/13 states) needed to pass any law One rep in legislature regardless of size

Weaknesses continued Articles could only be amended if all 13 states agreed Each state had only one rep in legislature regardless of size Articles could be amended only if all 13 states agreed No executive branch to enforce laws No judicial branch to interpret laws No national army or navy No official national currency

Articles Achievements under the Articles Revolutionary War was completed and Treaty of Paris negotiated Confederation Congress passed two laws providing “blueprint for future growth of nation” Land Ordinance of 1785 established a plan for surveying land west of the Appalachians and North of Ohio River

Northwest Ordinance Northwest Ordinance of 1787 set requirements for creation of new states Congress would appoint a governor When territory had 5000 voting residents it could create a temporary constitution and elect government When it reached 60,000 free inhabitants it could write a formal state constitution which would have to be approved by Congress in order to be granted statehood

Through the 1780’s Economics Without the ability to tax, the continental congress struggled to repay debt created by the Revolution Rhode Island blocked a plan to use a tariff to generate revenue

1780’s Borrowers vs. Lenders Creditors (lenders) wanted high taxes so states could repay them Farmers opposed high taxes-farmers who couldn’t pay their taxes had land and animals seized/auctioned Foreign Relations The new government was too weak to deal with threats posed by the British and Spanish