Chapter 8: Confederation to Constitution Section 1: The Confederation Era

So… the war is over America is now an independent country, and has some decisions to make America is now an independent country, and has some decisions to make

What does independence mean to you as a person? Good things Good things “Bad” things “Bad” things

What does independence mean for a country / government? Some new responsibilities: Some new responsibilities: Borrow and coin money Borrow and coin money Deal with other countries Deal with other countries War / Peace / Defense issues War / Peace / Defense issues Develop and maintain an Army/Navy Develop and maintain an Army/Navy Develop a system of weights and measures Develop a system of weights and measures Develop a Post Office / communications Develop a Post Office / communications Figure out ways to deal with Indians Figure out ways to deal with Indians Settle disputes between states Settle disputes between states Develop a system to maintain peace and order. Develop a system to maintain peace and order.

Also, one result of winning the revolution was: more land What should the country do with it? What should the country do with it? The first place open to settlement was an area called “the Northwest Territory” The first place open to settlement was an area called “the Northwest Territory” The area we live in today is part of the Northwest Ordinance (21) of 1787 The area we live in today is part of the Northwest Ordinance (21) of 1787

The Ordinance of July 13, 1787 provided "...there shall be formed in said territory, not less than three nor more than five states..." The original boundaries were defined as: Eastern State (numbers 1,2,3,4); Middle State (numbers 5,6,7,8,9) and Western State (numbers 10,11,12,13,14,15). These divisions are marked by broken lines on the map. The Ordinance of July 13, 1787 provided "...there shall be formed in said territory, not less than three nor more than five states..." The original boundaries were defined as: Eastern State (numbers 1,2,3,4); Middle State (numbers 5,6,7,8,9) and Western State (numbers 10,11,12,13,14,15). These divisions are marked by broken lines on the map.

The big thing was: This territory would be set up: This territory would be set up: as new states as new states With democratic governments - and would not be colonies to the other original states

Our first new plan for running the United States of America: The Articles of Confederation (16) This plan pretty much set up the new government to run completely opposite of everything England and King George had done in running the colonies. This plan pretty much set up the new government to run completely opposite of everything England and King George had done in running the colonies. Most people wanted a republic (12) form of government: Most people wanted a republic (12) form of government: (where the people choose representatives to speak for them)

This plan had some positives and negatives (39-40) (39-40) Governed the nation during the Revolutionary War Governed the nation during the Revolutionary War Negotiated The Treaty of Paris Negotiated The Treaty of Paris Took care of the Northwest Territory Took care of the Northwest Territory (36-38) (36-38) Lacked the power to enforce laws Lacked the power to enforce laws Lacked power to tax Lacked power to tax Lacked power to regulate trade Lacked power to regulate trade Required approval of all 13 states to change “the Articles” Required approval of all 13 states to change “the Articles”

Some people got real upset with the money problems the new government was having The average family actually owed more in taxes each year than they made each year. The average family actually owed more in taxes each year than they made each year. If you couldn’t pay your taxes, you could be put in prison. A group of farmers got so made they tried to steal some weapons and have a rebellion – Shay’s Rebellion (46). If you couldn’t pay your taxes, you could be put in prison. A group of farmers got so made they tried to steal some weapons and have a rebellion – Shay’s Rebellion (46).

The new government sent in troops and stopped the uprising This was important. This was important. It showed the government would use force if necessary to keep people in line. It showed the government would use force if necessary to keep people in line. It showed the government was serious about its new laws and taxes. It showed the government was serious about its new laws and taxes.

One our 6 essential questions is: Is the American Dream available to everyone? Name two ways the Northwest Ordinance allowed some people to live the American dream. Name two ways the Northwest Ordinance allowed some people to live the American dream.