Articles of Confederation and the Constitution

Why is this man Important? John Hanson

Articles of Confederation Proposed in states showed support within a year Maryland was last to support in 1781 Ratification- formal approval

Structure of Government Sovereignty of individual states Only created a legislative branch, unicameral Congress elected President Appointed civil officers

Congress Make war and peace Control ambassadors Make treaties Borrow money and set up monetary system Raise army and navy Settle disputes between states

State Duties Obey congress Send funds and troops Honor other states’ citizens and laws Extradition to other states

Weaknesses One vote per state Central government can not lay or collect taxes Can not regulate commerce Can not enforce laws nationally No national court system Unanimous decision to amend 9/13 majority for legislation “Firm league of friendship”

Shays’ Rebellion Daniel Shays- Revolutionary War veteran Angry about economy (taxes) Led a group of farmers on two uprisings Resulted in less severe punishment on debtors

Fixing the Government Maryland and Virginia met at Mount Vernon to settle disputes –Called for meeting with all 13 states to discuss a new structure for government February 1787, Congress calls for all state delegates to report to Philadelphia

Goals of Constitutional Convention (Philly Convention) Come up with an entity that could enforce laws passed by congress Create a way to equalize representation of states in congress Prevent any one person or group from getting too much power Ensure that citizens have power

Discuss Ways to fix problems found in Articles of Confederation? Fix? Or……????