The Articles of Confederation Objectives: Students will know what the Articles of Confederation were and the strengths and weaknesses of the Articles of Confederation. Students will understand why the Articles of Confederation were replaced.

The Articles of Confederation http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EFIkxQdZMZ0 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SdiswIT4xn8

The Articles of Confederation Key Terms Republic Confederation Articles Articles of Confederation Ratification Confederation Congress Northwest Territory Land Ordinance of 1785 Northwest Ordinance Levy

The Articles of Confederation Development and Ratification Colonies established their own governments National Government should be a republic Continental Congress meets in 1776 Articles of Confederation run by Confederation Congress Passed in 1777, ratified by all colonies in 1781

The Articles of Confederation National Problems 1781-1789 The Northwest Territory- How to divide and govern the lands west of the Appalachians? Land Ordinance of 1785- divided land into plots Northwest Ordinance of 1787- outlined how Northwest territory was to be governed (60,000 to be a state, slavery outlawed, increased land disputes with Native Americans)

The Articles of Confederation National Problems 1781-1789 2) Foreign Relations Conflicts Congress borrowed money to fight Revolutionary War- had no power to pay loans British presence remained south of Great Lakes Britain and Spain barred American shipping to enter Caribbean and New Orleans’ ports

The Articles of Confederation National Problems 1781-1789 3) Economic Problems and Shay’s Rebellion Congress had no power to levy taxes Could not pay debts it owed to soldiers States had to raise money through high taxes Farmers unable to pay high taxes (Shay led a farmer’s rebellion to capture Massachusetts’s arsenal)

The Articles of Confederation America’s 1st Constitution 1781-1789 Strengths Weaknesses The first system of government designed by the Founding Fathers was a Confederation. Under a Confederate system, the National or Central Government is given only a few powers, while most of the power is reserved for the States.

The Articles of Confederation America’s 1st Constitution 1781-1789 The Articles had 2 major achievements: Bringing the Revolutionary War to a successful conclusion North West Ordinance (plan for governing the western lands)

The Articles of Confederation America’s 1st Constitution 1781-1789 Strengths Weaknesses Congress has power to: Declare War & Establish an Army/Navy No Power to Draft Soldiers

The Articles of Confederation America’s 1st Constitution 1781-1789 Strengths Weaknesses Congress was given the power to: Make Peace & Sign Treaties No Power to Enforce Treaties

The Articles of Confederation America’s 1st Constitution 1781-1789 Strengths Weaknesses Congress was given the power to: No Power to Levy Taxes from the States Borrow Money

The Articles of Confederation America’s 1st Constitution 1781-1789 Strengths Weaknesses Congress was given the power to: Organize a Post Office

The Articles of Confederation America’s 1st Constitution 1781-1789 Strengths Weaknesses No Chief Executive No national court system No Power to Regulate Interstate Commerce No National Currency Difficult to Pass laws (2/3 vote)

The Articles of Confederation America’s 1st Constitution 1781-1789 Strengths Weaknesses Difficult to Amend (unanimous vote needed to change the articles)

Conclusion What were the strengths and weaknesses of the Articles of Confederation?

The Articles of Confederation No Chief Executive No National Court System No Power to Draft Soldiers No Power to Control Interstate Commerce No Power to Enforce Treaties No Power to Collect Taxes from the States Difficult to Pass Laws (2/3 vote) No National Currency Difficult to Amend (Unanimous Vote Needed to Change Articles) Congress given the power to: Declare War Make Peace Sign Treaties Borrow Money Establish an Army & Navy Organize a Post Office

Conclusion Why Did the Founding Fathers believe the Articles needed to be replaced by the US Constitution?