Articles of Confederation Constitution # 2 Articles of Confederation

Declaration of Independence July 4, 1776 Thomas Jefferson declares that “all men are created equal” and thus no one should have to answer to a king, especially one that is a tyrant and denies us our “unalienable rights” This officially separates us from Great Britain and now we must form our own government

Forming a Government What did the Founding Fathers want to avoid when creating an American government? Or what didn’t they like about the current British government? Or why did they fight the Revolutionary War?

Articles of Confederation (1777) First document that outlines our gov Establishes a “firm league of friendship” b/w colonies

National Govt under AofC Congress: legislative (law making) body Unicameral: one house 1 vote per state 9/13 states to pass a law Supermajority 13/13 (unanimous) agreement to amend (change) the articles

Powers of Congress Declare war Ratify (approve) treaties

Weaknesses Congress could NOT Tax Regulate trade States charged tariffs on other states’ goods Regulate currency Each state had its own

Congress also could NOT…. Enforce laws on states No national court system No president

This led to … States having ultimate power Each state became greatly in debt

Shays’ Rebellion (1787) Angry farmer who were losing land due to an economic crisis Leads angry, violent mob Riots end, but leaves many wondering about the state of the country