COS Standard 4 Describe the political system of the US based on the Constitution of the US.

Describe the inadequacies of the Article of Confederation Chapter 5 Section 1

Articles of Confederation and Perpetual Union America’s first written constitution Six drafts were prepared before the Continental Congress adopted them on November 15,1777 Served as the basis for the U.S. National Government during the American Revolution Ratified on March 1, 1781 once all 13 states agreed upon and signed the document. (Replaced by the current U.S. constitution) Loose union of the states under congress No executive branch and or judicial branch (handled within the state)-British tyranny leaves people afraid to make the central government to strong Weak central government Meets once a year Each state has one vote, no matter how many delegates it has Changes required unanimous ratification

Articles of Confederation Each state retained all powers not expressly delegated to Congress Delegates to Congress were appointed by state legislatures States would not be deprived of western lands Central Government has the power to: Jurisdiction of foreign relations with the authority to make treaties and alliances Make war and peace Maintain an army and navy Coin Money Establish a postal service Manage Indian Affairs

Articles of Confederation cont.. The central government does not have the power to impose taxes or regulate trade. How do they raise money? Sell western lands Ask foreign governments for money

Selling Land-Land Ordinance of 1785 Land ordinance of 1785: Thomas Jefferson This ordinance prepared the means for selling Western lands Township- 36 Square Miles Each township was to be divided into 36 sections, each one square mile or 640 Acres Minimum bidding price of one dollar per acre Jefferson had hoped that competitive bidding would bring in receipts far in excess of the minimum amount.

Selling Land

Northwest Ordinance of 1787 Northwest Ordinance of 1787: determines how a territory becomes a state No fewer than three, or more than five, states would be formed Provides a framework to govern the territory Admission to the Union would be available when the number of free inhabitants reached 60,000 Prohibits slavery and involuntary service Gives the government the ability to grow the nation

Strengths vs. Weaknesses Strengths for Central Government Could handle Foreign, Indian, Military Affairs Settle disputes between States Weaknesses One vote per state No way to regulate commerce. (No uniform tax system) National government could not tax No national court system Each State could issue its on paper money

No Executive Branch to enforce the laws No Judicial Branch to Interpret the laws

Why it does not work?: Trade British merchants flooded America with their cheap goods. American artisans were driven out of business States had to regulate commerce and they imposed taxes on imported good. Not all the same price. Land goods in cheapest place then move goods over land to final destination. States start to put posts at their borders to issue taxes on good moved across states.

Why it does not work?: Foreign Policy Congress cannot force Americans to pay their debts to Britain or return land to Loyalists. British subjects refuse to leave America until they pay. Congress cannot work out a solution with Spain over the disputed Georgia/Spanish Territory: mouth of Mississippi River. Closes the river to American’s shipping goods to market

Why it does not work?: Economics After the American Revolution, the US experiences a severe recession. To pay for war, states issued bonds that wealthy people bought to loan the US money to pay for the war. To pay back the money, states issue paper money with no gold or silver to back it. Money declines

Why it does not work?: Shay’s Rebellion Massachusetts, 1786 Raised taxes instead of issuing paper money. Hurt farmers more than anyone else: cannot pay taxes, lose farms How can we avoid losing farms? Shut down the courthouse Later, Daniel Shays and other rebels marched to the state supreme court, on their way they tried to seize weapons from an arsenal. The arsenal was defended by 4,000 troops. 4 die. Shays and his rebels scattered and the rebellion ended.

What’s Next? American’s see disadvantages to weak central government. CALL FOR CHANGE! Stronger central government