Journal #7 Name: 1 pt Date: 1 pt Copy question: 1 pt Answer (7 points) Every generation has some major problem that must be faced and resolved. What do you believe is the problem for your generation?

The problem of government 18 th century How could you design a government? A new government with no kings and hereditary rule; must be able to function. Stable and lasting? Old republics were short- lived. Must protect your natural rights

The Articles of Confederation Unit 2: The Constitution & Federalism

We’ve got a revolution…now what? Second Continental Congress Need to establish guidelines for a new government Concern: avoid centralized government like British parliament

Articles of Confederation 1777: Created a “league of friendship” among 13 states; outlines structure of new government 1781; all states had ratified (approved) the Articles Limitations of new government quickly apparent

Confederation What does this word mean to you? A group of states united under a weak central government The Preamble, Articles 1, 2, 3

Articles of Confederation Granted certain powers to the national government while giving others to the state governments Divide into small groups: ½ of groups read 13 Articles, look for powers granted to the national government Other half, read 13 Articles, look for powers granted to the state governments

Problems? Basically 13 separate states with NO INTENTION of giving up their sovereignty “these” United States, not “THE” No real national identity

Weaknesses: MONEY How do governments get money? Cannot levy (impose) or collect taxes No national currency

Money troubles Had to ask for $ from the states, they can refuse Printed more $, created inflation "that a wagon load of money will scarcely purchase a wagon load of provisions.” (G. Washington to John Jay, President of Continental Congress) Leaves the National government begging for cash

More money troubles… Congress had no power to regulate trade Can’t solve economic disputes among states War debt…some states paid, others didn’t Difficulty in making business deals with other countries (play one state off of another)

NO POWER No enforcement powers! Congress can only ask states to comply Can you imagine what that would be like today?

Little Rock Nine, African-American students; enrolled in Little Rock Central High School Governor of Arkansas intervened to stop them from attending school; Arkansas National Guard deployed Defying 1954 Supreme Court decision; Brown v. Board of Education; outlawed racial segregation in schools President Eisenhower ordered in 101 st Airborne & federalized the Arkansas National Guard

Students escorted the troops of the 101 st Airborne Division

Decision-making process 2/3 majority needed to pass laws (9/13) Usually 9 or 10 states were in Congress at any time…tough to pass laws

Decision-making process 1 vote per state regardless of population The votes of any 5 small state could block a measure that 8 of the larger states wanted Unanimous consent to change A of C… IMPOSSIBLE!

Other problems… No national court system (no one to settle disputes among states) No executive branch (no unity in policy making) Foreign policy problem…no single voice

Demanding change… How powerful should a government be? How can you balance the power of states & national governments? What unites us into a single people…a nation?

Liberty! Are we to be a nation?