1. The New Nation Faces Challenges
Chapter 4 – Section 2
Pgs
Standards & 8.3.5

2. Objectives:
Today we will learn about the problems the new nation faced.
So we can understand that a new constitution was needed.
We will know that we understand it when we can describe the domestic & international problems the Articles of Confederation could not fix.

3. Relations with Other Countries
Articles of Confederation, Congress could not force states to provide soldiers for an army
Continental Army disbanded after Treaty of Paris was signed
This led the United States to have difficulties with other nations.

4. Trouble with Britain
Hard to make the British leave without force

5. Trade with Britain British closed ports to American ships
Britain forced American merchants to pay high tariffs
Reflection Q’s: What is a tariff? How does it impact trade?

6. Trade with Spain Spain closed the Mississippi to shipping
Deal could not be passed through Congress to work with Spain
States upset with national gov. and no military to force countries to work with America

7. Impact of Closed Markets
Closing of British ports (West Indies) greatly hurt the American economy
Also had to use British ships to transport good = expensive
Confederation Congress could not correct situation because they didn’t have the power to pass tariffs or force states to pass tariffs

8. Economic Problems
Domestic money troubles!

9. Trade among States
Confederation Congress could not regulate inter-state trade
States did what was best for them, not the country

10. Inflation After the war, there were huge war debts and overdue taxes
Some states printed more money,
Money is worth less
Caused inflation = Once again, Congress can do nothing to stop it

11. Weak Economy
People left Rhode Island to escape being paid back w/ worthless money
Loss of trade w/ Britain and inflation caused a depression
Reflection Q: What is an economic “depression”?

12. Shay’s Rebellion
Shay’s Rebellion pointed out weaknesses in the Articles of Confederation
Heavy debts for farmers
No printing of worthless money
Farmers had to pay the new taxes
Courts – Pay taxes or sell land

13. Farmer’s Rebel August 1786, farmers rebel
Forced closure of courts in Mass.
Closed courts = no one’s property taken
Reflection Q: Who was Daniel Shays? What was the Shay’s Rebellion?

14. Shay’s Defeat Shay’s forces defeated by state troops in January 1787
Many sent to prison or executed
However, rebels were soon freed
Reflection Q: Why would the state officials free the rebels, including Shay’s?

15. Calls for Change Many weaknesses in the Confederation gov.
Articles of Confederation failed to protect the ideals of the Declaration of Independence
James Madison and Alexander Hamilton called all 13 states to send delegates to a Constitutional Convention in Philadelphia in May 1787
Revise the Articles

16. Checking for Understanding

17. Domestic Problems (within U.S.) International Problems (outside U.S.)
Directions: Use the G.O. to identify the domestic and international problems that arose under the Articles of Confederation.
Domestic Problems (within U.S.)
International Problems (outside U.S.)

18. Domestic Problems (within U.S.)
1. No power to regulate interstate commerce
1. Could not pass tariffs
2. Could not help states keep order
2. Could not enforce treaties
3. Could not stop inflation

19. Newspaper Activity
Imagine you are newspaper publishers who must determine the headlines for the next issue of your paper.
Each group will write a headline and several sub-headlines for each of the following topics
Problems with Great Britain & Spain
Problems associated with tariffs
Economic problems that arose under the Articles of the Confederation
Consequences of Shay’s Rebellion

20. You will share your headlines/sub-headlines with the class
You will share your headlines/sub-headlines with the class! Most creative and awesome group wins! (Maybe candy?)