the Articles of Confederation TURNING POINT-SHAY’S REBELLION

Colonies become states 1700s-Each of the British colonies had its own governor, council and colonial assembly This system of self-governing colonies caused people to identify their allegiance with the colony As colonies became states after the Revolution (after 1783), they were reluctant to unite under a strong central government Challenge was to find balance between interests of the states with those interests of the nation

Unity through a republic 18th century Americans believed that a democracy placed too much power in the hands of the masses So they favored a republic-a government in which citizens rule through their elected representatives Republicanism meant different things to different people: Some thought that in a republic people had to place the good of the nation above personal interests Others believed that a republic could benefit from self-interests (should allow independent citizens and states to pursue their own interests)

State constitutions Many state constitutions shared certain characteristics: gave rights to citizens such as freedom of speech, religion, press State constitutions emphasized liberty over equality Feared centralized authority State constitutions differed on who could vote; African Americans generally could not vote nor could women; other states made property ownership a requirement for voting

Articles of Confederation When the 2nd Continental Congress met in Philadelphia in 1776 they tried to draft a new government for the states as a whole Used democracy of Ancient Greece and the Roman republic as guidelines Much disagreement on the role of the national government. Delegates had to answer three questions: Should representation be based on population or by state? Can Supreme Power be divided? Who gets the Western lands of the United States?

Articles of Confederation Should representation be based on population or by state? States were equal as political entities but they were unequal in size, wealth and population Decision made that each state would have one vote regardless of population

Articles of Confederation Can Supreme Power be divided? Congress proposed a new type of government-a confederation-one in which two levels of government shared powers State governments would be supreme in some matters; while the new national government would be supreme in others New national government=power to declare war; borrow money; deal with Native Americans

Articles of Confederation Who gets the western lands? Maryland, which had no western land claims refused to approve the articles until all states turned over land to the federal government States agreed to give up land claims and the Articles of Confederation went into effect in March 1781

Articles of confederation Who gets the western lands? Land Ordinance of 1785 -established a plan for surveying the land Northwest Ordinance of 1787 -Congress provided a procedure for dividing land into territories and then becoming a state: 1. Congress would appoint a territorial governor 2. 5000 settlers=could write a temporary constitution and elect a government 3. 60,000 settlers=could write a state constitution which could be approved by Congress

Weaknesses of the Articles of Confederation Congress could not enact or collect taxes Revolutionary War had cost nation $190 million struggle between creditors and debtors led to foreign relations problems with Great Britain Congress could not regulate trade (foreign or domestic) Each state had only one vote in Congress (regardless of population) 2/3 majority of states had to agree to pass laws Articles could be amended only if unanimously approved No executive branch No national court system 13 separate states that lacked unity

Shay’s Rebellion Daniel Shays was a veteran of the Revolutionary War battles at Bunker Hill and Saratoga Returned to his farm in western Massachusetts after the war Faced debtors prison because of his debt He felt he was the victim of too much taxation Summer and Fall of 1786 farmers like Shay demanded that courts close so they wouldn’t lose farms Shays led an army of 1200 farmers to close the courts in 1787 State officials called out militia; four rebels killed and rest were scattered.

Case Study on the Articles of Confederation Directions: 15 minutes--Silently read and answer the questions for each of the six case studies involving the national government under the Articles (you may use the chart comparing the Articles and the U.S. Constitution) 10 minutes—Partner with someone in class to discuss the answers to the questions. 5 minutes—Prepare to share out to the rest of the class how you answered the questions.

Articles of Confederation Constitution Levying taxes Congress could request states to pay taxes Congress has right to levy taxes on individuals Federal court system No system of federal courts Court system created to deal with issues between citizens, states Regulation of trade No provision to regulate interstate trade Congress has right to regulate trade between states Executive  Branch No executive with power. President of U.S. merely presided over Congress Executive branch headed by President who chooses Cabinet and has checks on power of judiciary and legislature Amending document 13/13 needed to amend Articles 2/3 of both houses of Congress plus 3/4 of state legislatures or national convention Representation of states   Each state received 1 vote regardless of size   Upper house (Senate) with 2 votes; lower house (House of Representatives) based on population   Raising an army   Congress could not draft troops, dependent on states to contribute forces Congress can raise an army to deal with military situations Interstate commerce   No control of trade between states   Interstate commerce controlled by Congress   Disputes between states   Complicated system of arbitration   Federal court system to handle disputes   Sovereignty   Sovereignty resides in states   National Constitution the supreme law of the land   Passing laws   9/13 needed to approve legislation   50%+1 of both houses plus signature of President  

Jefferson and Washington on Shay’s Rebellion Directions: You will be assigned either a letter by Jefferson or a letter by Washington. Both men are speaking about Shay’s Rebellion. As you read the letter answer the questions that follow. Take 15 minutes. Partner with someone who had the other letter. Teach each other your letter using your answers to the questions as a guide. Take 5 minutes. Develop a dialogue between the two men on Shay’s rebellion. Use a reflective journal rubric as a guide for your dialogue. Be prepared to turn in at the end of class.