Experimenting with Confederation During the Revolutionary War, the states had united under a similar goal: independence. However, the states were reluctant to unite under a strong central gov’t. Americans favored a republic-a gov’t in which citizens rule through their elected representatives.

Americans Debate Republicanism Colonies Become States Each colony had its own government Reluctant to unite Unity Through A Republic Republic - a government in which citizens rule through their elected representatives. Republicanism – idea that governments should be based on the consent of the people. Some believed a republic required a virtuous people. Others believed that self-interest would benefit.

The Continental Congress started the process of drafting a constitution for the central gov’t while the states were drafting their own. The Cont. Congress had to answer 3 questions: Representation? By state or population? Can supreme power be divided? Who gets the western lands?

Articles of Confederation – New Government Weak central government Once a year, each state would send delegation from Capital to meet (Confederation Congress) Powers: Declare war, raise armies, sign treaties Couldn’t: Tax or regulate trade

Major Provisions (Parts) What are some potential problems… No power to tax: No power to enforce treaties: Every state (no matter the size) has one vote: No power to regulate commerce/trade: Amending requires unanimous vote

Weaknesses Which weaknes s do you think was the biggest?

Successes - Northwest Ordinance What do we do with all this new land?

Northwest Ordinance of 1787 Rules about how to settle: Congress would choose a governor, a secretary, and three judges for that territory When 5,000 free males settled in the territory, they elected a legislature When the population reached 60,000 they could apply to become a state “on an equal footing with the original states” Said that they had rights in territory (Freedom of Religion, property rights, and trial by jury) No Slavery was allowed!!!

What states were created? Ohio Illinois Wisconsin Michigan Indiana