Articles of CONFEDERATION & NW Territory Adaptation of the Articles of Confederation

Written Constitutions & Limited Power During the revolution most states wrote a (state) constitution leaders cautious about too much power to one rulerAmerican leaders were cautious about too much power to one ruler states elected legislatures with separate branchesMany states elected legislatures with separate branches bicameral –Most states adopted a bicameral legislature 2 separate houses2 separate houses included a bill of rights –Some included a bill of rights

Formation of the Republic U. S. A. would be a constitutional republicU. S. A. would be a constitutional republic citizens rule by being elected –Government where citizens rule by being elected –People elect representatives to speak on their behalf federal government should be weakMost agreed that central/national/federal government should be weak –States would be like small independent countries

Articles of Confederation America’s 1 st ConstitutionNovember 1777 – America’s 1 st Constitution new central government –Provided new central government –Ran by the Confederation Congress –States gave up little of their power A firm league of friendship“A firm league of friendship” States kept “sovereignty, freedom, & independence” Articles formally become our govt. on March 1, 1781

Strengths of the Articles Governed the nation during & after the American Revolution Grant treatiesGrant treaties (ex: Treaty of Paris) Authority to conduct foreign affairs –Maintain relations with foreign countries Borrow moneyBorrow money Issue currencyIssue currency –Print & circulate money Sold, settled, & governed the western territorySold, settled, & governed the nation’s western territory (Northwest Ordinance)

Weaknesses of the Articles No power to regulate trade between statesNo power to regulate (control) trade between states Could not force citizens to join the armyCould not force citizens to join the army No power to taxNo power to tax No power to enforce lawsNo power to enforce laws States had to agree to raise money & troopsStates had to agree to raise money & troops –States not required to help Could not protect copyrightsCould not protect copyrights Could not organize a court systemCould not organize a court system Each state had only one vote in CongressEach state had only one vote in Congress –Regardless of its size Could not pass law w/o 9 of 13 approvingCould not pass law w/o 9 of 13 approving Required unanimous vote to change ArticlesRequired unanimous vote to change Articles

Government took control of landsGovernment took control of western lands Ordinance of 1785Ordinance of 1785 –Procedure to sell land north of Ohio River –Divided territory into townships 6 miles x 6 miles square6 miles x 6 miles square Opportunity to cheaply buy landOpportunity to cheaply buy a lot of land Westward Expansion

miles A B C DD A – Half-section = 320 acres B – Quarter-section = 160 acres C – Half-quarter section = 80 acres D – Quarter-quarter section = 40 acres Land sold for $1 per acre

Northwest Ordinance create a single Northwest TerritoryPassed in 1787 to create a single Northwest Territory Land north of Ohio River & east of Mississippi River Divided into 3-5 smaller territories Could petition for statehoodCould petition for statehood population reached 60,000 –When population reached 60,000 –Would come into Union with all rights & privileges of original 13 states Bill of rights, no slavery, freedom of religion, & trial by juryBill of rights for settlers, no slavery, freedom of religion, & trial by jury