1. Challenges of the New Nation

2. What were the Articles of Confederation?
Articles of Confederation: The first constitution (plan of government) of the United States.
It was written during the Revolution to create the laws of the new national government.

3. Problems with the Articles of Confederation
1. Provided for a weak national government
2. Congress had no power to tax and regulate
commerce
3. Provided for no common currency (money)
4. Gave each state one vote (size)
5. Provided for no executive or judicial branch

4. The Articles of Confederation:
Weakness 1: Provided for a weak national government
Gave individual states the power over their own affairs. (problems/decisions that needed to be made)

5. The Articles of Confederation:
Weakness 2: Congress had no power to tax and regulate commerce
Congress’ authority was limited (couldn’t make decisions for the states)
Any power not given to Congress belonged to the states
Congress could declare war and peace, but had no power to levy taxes. (make people pay taxes)
Congress could command an army and navy and handle foreign affairs
Congress could make laws but could not make the states follow the laws

6. The Articles of Confederation:
Weakness 3: Provided for no common currency (money)

7. The Articles of Confederation:
Weakness 4: Gave each state one vote
This was meant to make each state equal
Many people thought representation should be based on the number of people in each state (States with more people should have more votes)
Rhode Island
Virginia

8. The Articles of Confederation:
Weakness 5: Provided for no executive or judicial branch
The government could not make sure the states followed the laws.
No one made sure that the laws were fair.

9. Northwest Ordinance
Purpose: Land north of the Ohio River and east of the Mississippi River would become part of the United States. Established laws for governing the territory.

10. Laws of the Northwest Territory
Freedom of religion
Rights if accused of crime
Public Education
Indian land rights
Adding new states
No slavery in territory

11. Independent Work
Answer the following questions on your worksheet and complete the chart.
What problem do you think had the most effect on the struggling nation and why?
How would life be different today if the government operated under the Articles of Confederation?