1. Articles of Confederation
The first Constitution of the US

2. Confederation of Independent States
Individual colonies became states
Reluctant to unite under a strong central govt.
The articles were similar to Iroquois Confederation and the Albany Plan of Ben Franklin
The era of Articles became know as the “Critical Period”

3. Articles Confederation Weaknesses
Unicameral government
The government couldn’t enact or collect taxes
Congress could not regulate interstate or foreign trade
2/3 majority (9/13 states) needed to pass any law
One rep in legislature regardless of size

4. Weaknesses continued
Articles could only be amended if all 13 states agreed
Each state had only one rep in legislature regardless of size
Articles could be amended only if all 13 states agreed
No executive branch to enforce laws
No judicial branch to interpret laws
No national army or navy
No official national currency

5. Articles Achievements under the Articles
Revolutionary War was completed and Treaty of Paris negotiated
Confederation Congress passed two laws providing “blueprint for future growth of nation”
Land Ordinance of 1785 established a plan for surveying land west of the Appalachians and North of Ohio River

6. Northwest Ordinance
Northwest Ordinance of 1787 set requirements for creation of new states
Congress would appoint a governor
When territory had 5000 voting residents it could create a temporary constitution and elect government
When it reached 60,000 free inhabitants it could write a formal state constitution which would have to be approved by Congress in order to be granted statehood

7. Through the 1780’s Economics
Without the ability to tax, the continental congress struggled to repay debt created by the Revolution
Rhode Island blocked a plan to use a tariff to generate revenue

8. 1780’s Borrowers vs. Lenders
Creditors (lenders) wanted high taxes so states could repay them
Farmers opposed high taxes-farmers who couldn’t pay their taxes had land and animals seized/auctioned
Foreign Relations
The new government was too weak to deal with threats posed by the British and Spanish