The Articles of Confederation

The Articles were written in 1777 by John Dickinson, a Penn. statesman The Articles were written in 1777 by John Dickinson, a Penn. statesman The Articles were accepted by Congress in 1781 and is considered the first national constitution The Articles were accepted by Congress in 1781 and is considered the first national constitution

The Articles of Confederation The fear of having too much power in one person’s hands reflects the experiences the colonies had under a monarchy The fear of having too much power in one person’s hands reflects the experiences the colonies had under a monarchy In the Articles the state governments limit the power of the national Congress In the Articles the state governments limit the power of the national Congress

Weaknesses of the Articles of Confederation Congress had no power to raise taxes Congress had no power to raise taxes Congress had no power regulate foreign or state trade Congress had no power regulate foreign or state trade Laws had to be approved by 9 out of 13 states Laws had to be approved by 9 out of 13 states Congress did not have the power to enforce laws Congress did not have the power to enforce laws

Strengths of the Articles of Confederation Had the power to declare war and peace. Had the power to declare war and peace. Print money Print money Make treaties Make treaties Settle state disputes Settle state disputes

Northwest Territory The Northwest Territory was east of the Mississippi River and north of the Ohio River. The states of Ohio, Indiana, Illinois, Michigan, and Wisconsin would be formed from this area.

Settling Western Lands The Northwest Ordinance assisted in the orderly expansion of the United States, it outlined a plan for applying for statehood to western territories The Northwest Ordinance assisted in the orderly expansion of the United States, it outlined a plan for applying for statehood to western territories When Population of a territory reached 60,000 it could become a state When Population of a territory reached 60,000 it could become a state

Settling Western lands The Northwest Ordinance provides an orderly settlement process in the West The Northwest Ordinance provides an orderly settlement process in the West It promised It promised no slavery no slavery Free education Free education freedom of religion freedom of religion trial by jury trial by jury

Trouble on Two Fronts The Confederation Government had so little power that it could not deal with the country’s financial problems. Fighting the war had left the Continental Congress with a large debt. Congress had borrowed money from American citizens and foreign governments during the war and still owed soldiers pay. They didn’t have the power to tax and therefore had to money to take care of debts.

Trouble Continued… Neither the British nor the Americans had followed through with the Treaty of Paris. Neither the British nor the Americans had followed through with the Treaty of Paris. The British still had soldiers in America. The British still had soldiers in America. The Americans still had not paid the Loyalists for the property take from them during the Rev. War. The Americans still had not paid the Loyalists for the property take from them during the Rev. War.

Concerns George Washington became very worried about the weaknesses of the Articles of Confederation and its inability to deal with problems. Many Americans began to agree that the country needed a stronger government George Washington became very worried about the weaknesses of the Articles of Confederation and its inability to deal with problems. Many Americans began to agree that the country needed a stronger government