1776

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The Articles of Confederation

May, 1776 The Second Continental Congress had been meeting, planning what to do after King George’s refusal of the Olive Branch Proposal. Arguments were very heated about whether or not to declare independence from England. The Committee of Five had been asked to write a document listing their reasons for separating from England.

In May, 1776, the Continental Congress asked the states to organize their governments and to write a constitution for their own state. What is a constitution? A formal plan of government. Notice to the “States”

Limiting Power The memory of tyrannical King was fresh. Americans did not want to give any state government too much power! Their new constitutions reflected this great desire in their state constitutions.

But WHAT would they do about a national government?

Now what?? Now what what?? We need a government to make rules and run the war against Mother England! Mine is in New York! We are fighting to get away a strong central government, not start a new one! My government is in my colony, Maryland! But we must work together!!

Second Continental Congress set up a committee Each state retains its sovereignty, freedom and independence. Committee wrote the “Articles of Confederation,” 15 articles that set up a “firm league of friendship.”

Article 1 Article 4

After a lot of debate, blahblahblahblah A confederation is a collection of independent states that can SUGGEST rules to each other, but not force individual citizens to do anything I don’t belong to you! We’re just friends, right? Penn. NY Delaware November, 1777 Congress adopts

The Articles of Confederation Unicameral legislature – one house

The Articles of Confederation Unicameral legislature – one house One vote per state

The Articles of Confederation Unicameral legislature – one house One vote per state No power to collect taxes

The Articles of Confederation Unicameral legislature – one house One vote per state No power to collect taxes No power to ENFORCE any laws

The Articles of Confederation Unicameral legislature – one house One vote per state No power to collect taxes No power to ENFORCE any laws It took a unanimous vote to change Articles

The Articles of Confederation Unicameral legislature – one house One vote per state No power to collect taxes No power to ENFORCE any laws Unanimous vote to change Articles They could issue currency

The Articles of Confederation Unicameral legislature – one house One vote per state No power to collect taxes No power to ENFORCE any laws Unanimous vote to change Articles Issue currency Ratified on March 1, 1781

The Articles of Confederation OOPS – there were problems! Unicameral legislature – one house One vote per state No power to collect taxes No power to ENFORCE any laws Unanimous vote to change Articles Issue currency Ratified on March 1, 1781

The Confederation Government The Articles were too weak, and America was having new problems.

Good things... Even though the Articles of Confederation were weak, what do you think were some of the good things that happened because of the Articles?

Make your own document!! Title: The Articles of Confederation

Make your own document!! Title: The Articles of Confederation Date ratified: 1781 Who wrote the Articles? The 2nd Continental Congress

Why was it written? To unify the newly created states without giving any one state too much power. Why was it important? It was the FIRST form of government for our new nation.

What fundamental principle did it have? –Consent of the governed –Representative government –Limited government

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