The Articles of Confederation The Articles were accepted by Congress in 1781 and is considered the first national constitution https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3KGG9afW7XY&list=PL8uy4WJ_jDP4qR2O1IAJLvPZ7LiCbnfns&index=5

Second continental congress Confederation = league/loose union of independent states The 13 newly independent colonies needed a new form of government The Second Continental Congress began writing the Articles of Confederation in 1777 before the war was even over!

Learning Target: Success Criteria: We will understand why the colonists were afraid of a strong national government and how our first attempt at a national government FAILED. Success Criteria: I will be able to identify the strengths and weaknesses of the Articles of Confederation.

What did the Confederation look like? Only men who owned property could vote or hold public office. What did the Confederation look like? Bill of Rights? Judicial Court System EXECUTIVE President? Population was not a concern. Large states did not like this. Rarely could you get 9 states to agree on anything. All 13 votes were needed to make any changes

Powers of the Articles of Confederation Powers Granted Powers Denied Declare war and make peace Executive Branch Maintain an army and navy Raising Taxes Make treaties with other countries Stop states from printing their own money Regulate trade with other Countries or between states Borrow Money Establish a postal service Court System Settle disputes between states

Weaknesses of the Articles Congress had no power to raise taxes Lacked power to enforce laws Congress had no power regulate foreign or state trade Laws had to be approved by 9 out of 13 states Had no executive or judicial system Allowed states to print money = INFLATION

Strengths of the Articles Governed the U.S. during the end of the American Revolution Helped negotiate the Treaty of Paris 1783 Land Ordinance of 1785 The Northwest Ordinance Had the power to declare war and peace, print money, make treaties and settle state disputes

Settling Western Lands The Land Ordinance of 1785 established definite boundary lines so there would be no confusion and legal disputes over land ownership. Allowed land to be sold.

Northwest Territory The Northwest Territory was bordered by three bodies of water: -Mississippi River -Ohio River -Great lakes. The states of Ohio, Indiana, Illinois, Michigan, and Wisconsin would be formed from this area.

Settling of Western Lands The Northwest Ordinance assisted in the orderly expansion of the United States, it outlined a plan for applying for statehood to western territories and how they would be governed. Territory governed by a governor, secretary, and three judges 5,000 free males who own 50 acres can elect a legislature and send a rep. to Congress Population of 60,000 could apply to become a state

Settling of Western Lands The Northwest Ordinance provides an orderly settlement process in the West It promised- no slavery education freedom of religion trial by jury

Shay’s Rebellion Shays’ Rebellion is the name given to a series of protests in 1786 and 1787 by American farmers against state and local enforcement. Rebellion was most serious in Massachusetts, where bad harvests, economic depression, and high taxes threatened farmers with the loss of their farms. The rebellion took its name from its symbolic leader, Daniel Shays of Massachusetts, a former captain in the Continental army. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1pbJHH9F9-Q

Shay’s Rebellion Poor farmers are not represented in the Mass legislature and cannot pass debt relief laws The purpose of the rebellion is to free debtors from prisons and close courts that are hearing cases against farmers

Shay’s Rebellion The Massachusetts militia puts down rebellion Although it never seriously threatened the stability of the United States, Shays’ Rebellion greatly alarmed politicians throughout the nation. Proponents of constitutional reform at the national level saw the rebellion as justification for revision or replacement of the Articles of Confederation What about Shay’s Rebellion caused national leaders to call for government reform?