The Confederation Era

The war is over, now what? America was now and independent nation having won the Revolutionary War, but now what? What would the country and the government look like?

The Articles of Confederation The Articles of Confederation was the name of the first government of the United States. It had been started back in 1776 in the Continental Congress, and finally approved by all the states in 1781.

The Articles of Confederation was weak, on purpose Americans were afraid of a strong national government. After all, they had fought a war over it. So, the government they decided on was weak. The national government under the Articles did not have the power to tax or enforce laws. The national government did have the power to wage war, but since they couldn’t tax, there was no way to pay for it. The government could also issue money, but the states didn’t have to use it. The states had their own money.

Weaknesses of the Articles Since the national government could not tax, and the national money was worthless, debt became a huge problem. Debt = owing money The biggest problem was that the soldiers who had fought the war, had not been paid, and they were mad. Most of the soldiers were farmers, and they were unable to pay their debts.

What was the most Important Accomplishment of the Articles of Confederation?

THE NORTHWEST ORDINANCE of 1787

THE NORTHWEST ORDINANCE Problem: Many states made claims to the western lands (Northwest Territory). Boundaries of the Northwest Territory: Great Lakes (north), Pennsylvania (east), Ohio River (south), Mississippi River (west) Having a plethora people moving into the northwest territory caused many problems for the federal land leaders. Problems with Native Americans arose, and the federal leaders could not afford to wage war to protect the settlers so they opted to regulate frontier settlement.

THE NORTHWEST ORDINANCE Solution to the Problem: All states agreed to cede (give) their claims to Congress, so Congress can sell the land for the good of the country (confederation). NATIONAL DOMAIN – Public land

THE NORTHWEST ORDINANCE Township – the largest division of land. It is thirty-six square miles. Township 6 MILES 6 miles is about Carterville to Herrin (5.8 miles)

Townships

THE NORTHWEST ORDINANCE Section – 36 sections in a township. It is one square mile or 640 acres. Section

THE NORTHWEST ORDINANCE Education – the sale from one section of each township goes to start a school for that township. How much went for education? Answer: $640

The Articles of Confederation America’s 1st Constitution 1781-1789 Strengths Weaknesses Congress was given the 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 Collect Taxes from the States Borrow Money

The Articles of Confederation America’s 1st Constitution 1781-1789 Strengths Weaknesses Congress was given the power to: Couldn’t pay for it Organize a Post Office

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

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

What is happening in the following picture? You are going to be looking at a picture in a few seconds? See if you can figure out what is going on in the picture. Look at the picture closely. Describe the people, objects, where the event is happening, and what is happening. (Who, what, where, and objects)

Shays’ Rebellion Farmers were taken into court, then to jail, and their land was taken away from them because they were in debt. In 1786, an armed revolt by farmers against the state government took place. The revolt was led by Daniel Shays.

The farmers began to forcibly prevent the courts from meeting so they couldn’t take anyone else’s land away or put them in jail. Early in 1787, the Governor sent 4,400 men against the rebels and the rebels were defeated. Shays and the other rebels were pardoned. (An official act of forgiveness)

Results of Shays’ Rebellion Shays’ Rebellion showed the leaders of America that the Articles of Confederation were too weak, and a stronger national government was needed.

Conclusion Why did the Founding Fathers Choose a Confederation plan of government? They feared that a strong central government would create tyranny, and stamp out the peoples natural God given rights.

Shay’s rebellion proved the need to strengthen the government. Conclusion Why Did the Founding Fathers believe the Articles needed to be replaced by the US Constitution? The nation needed to function as ONE united country & not 13 small unorganized nations. Shay’s rebellion proved the need to strengthen the government.