A New Country: What Could Possibly Go Wrong Coach Kuntz United States History

Differing Governments -After the Declaration of Independence was adopted in 1776, the colonies began organizing their governments: Most states wrote constitutions. A constitution is a document that sets out the laws, principles, organization, and processes of a government. In 1777, the Continental Congress approved the first American Constitution called the “Articles of Confederation” with hopes of unifying the 13 colonies. -As early as 1777, the United States had state and national governments.

Problems with the Articles of Confederation 1. Small, weak central government -The national government under the Articles of Confederation was small and weak -Weaknesses of the national government: Congress could pass laws, but 9 of the 13 colonies had to approve a law before it could go into effect. Congress could not regulate trade between states or between states and foreign countries. When Congress passed a law, it was up to states to enforce the law.

Problems with the Articles of Confederation 2. No Money and Lots of Debt -After the Revolution, the United States owed millions of dollars to individuals and to foreign nations. -Congress did not have the power to tax in order to raise money. -Congress had to ask states for money or borrow it. They could not force states to contribute.

Problems with the Articles of Confederation 3. Conflict Between the States -The national government had no no system of courts to settle conflicts between states. -Each state printed their own currency. Most states refused to accept the money of other states. As a result, trade became very difficult. -Congress could not regulate trade between states or between states and foreign countries.

Problems with the Articles of Confederation 4. Border Disputes (Conflicts, arguments, disagreements) -If two states claimed the same piece of land, there was nothing in place to resolve this conflict. -For example, both New Hampshire and New York claimed Vermont. -States feared that states who continued to expand would become too powerful.

Problems with the Articles of Confederation 5. Weak Military -After the Revolution, the Continental Army greatly decreased in size. -The national government could declare war but they mostly had to rely on state militias to fight. -The national government could not force state militias to fight.

Successes of the Articles of Confederation -The Articles of Confederation weren’t all bad. Congress did manage to pass a few important laws: Land Ordinance of 1785- Set up a system for settling the Northwest Territory. The territory was divided into townships. Townships were then divided into 36 sections of 1 square mile. Northwest Ordinance- Set up a government for the Northwest Territory, guaranteed basic rights to settlers, and outlawed slavery there. -The Ordinance also provided a way to admit new states to the nation. Once a territory had a population of 60,000 free settlers, it could ask Congress to be admitted as a state.