1. Articles of Confederation
Creation of the Constitution of the United States of America

2. Early Form of Government in the Colonies
State centered governments
Saw no need for central government after Revolution
Wanted to exercise control over the government
Articles of Confederation Only 1 branch the Legislature

3. Set up a national government
What are they?
Set up a national government
Run by legislative body called Confederation Congress
Left most power of government up to the states

4. Congressional Powers Granted to congress Denied to Congress
Conduct foreign affairs
Declare war and make peace
Issue or borrow money
Control western territories
Control Indian affairs
Run postal service
Establish executive branch
Enforce national laws
Enact and collect taxes
Regulate interstate or foreign trade
Establish federal courts
Amend the Articles

5. How the Articles are flawed?
Economic:
Could not collect taxes
No central government meant the war debt was mounting
Lead to states borrowing foreign money
Political:
Weak national government

6. Shay’s Rebellion
People who loaned money to the states wanted their money back
Started to tax citizens to get money back
Farmers in the western part of Massachusetts
Angry farmers rioted and headed to Springfield to take an arsenal
Congress: no money to raise army, no way to force payment

7. Effects of Shay’s Rebellion
Demonstrated the ability to defy national government
Americans now saw a need for a stronger national government
Second Constitutional Convention
In 2 weeks they created a document that has lasted more than 200 years