1. COS Standard 4
Describe the political system of the US based on the Constitution of the US.

2. Describe the inadequacies of the Article of Confederation
Chapter 5 Section 1

3. Articles of Confederation and Perpetual Union
America’s first written constitution
Six drafts were prepared before the Continental Congress adopted them on November 15,1777
Served as the basis for the U.S. National Government during the American Revolution
Ratified on March 1, 1781 once all 13 states agreed upon and signed the document. (Replaced by the current U.S. constitution)
Loose union of the states under congress
No executive branch and or judicial branch (handled within the state)-British tyranny leaves people afraid to make the central government to strong
Weak central government
Meets once a year
Each state has one vote, no matter how many delegates it has
Changes required unanimous ratification

4. Articles of Confederation
Each state retained all powers not expressly delegated to Congress
Delegates to Congress were appointed by state legislatures
States would not be deprived of western lands
Central Government has the power to:
Jurisdiction of foreign relations with the authority to make treaties and alliances
Make war and peace
Maintain an army and navy
Coin Money
Establish a postal service
Manage Indian Affairs

5. Articles of Confederation cont..
The central government does not have the power to impose taxes or regulate trade.
How do they raise money?
Sell western lands
Ask foreign governments for money

6. Selling Land-Land Ordinance of 1785
Land ordinance of 1785: Thomas Jefferson
This ordinance prepared the means for selling Western lands
Township- 36 Square Miles
Each township was to be divided into 36 sections, each one square mile or 640 Acres
Minimum bidding price of one dollar per acre
Jefferson had hoped that competitive bidding would bring in receipts far in excess of the minimum amount.

7. Selling Land

8. Northwest Ordinance of 1787
Northwest Ordinance of 1787: determines how a territory becomes a state
No fewer than three, or more than five, states would be formed
Provides a framework to govern the territory
Admission to the Union would be available when the number of free inhabitants reached 60,000
Prohibits slavery and involuntary service
Gives the government the ability to grow the nation

9. Strengths vs. Weaknesses
Strengths for Central Government
Could handle Foreign, Indian, Military Affairs
Settle disputes between States
Weaknesses
One vote per state
No way to regulate commerce. (No uniform tax system)
National government could not tax
No national court system
Each State could issue its on paper money

10. No Executive Branch to enforce the laws
No Judicial Branch to Interpret the laws

11. Why it does not work?: Trade
British merchants flooded America with their cheap goods.
American artisans were driven out of business
States had to regulate commerce and they imposed taxes on imported good.
Not all the same price.
Land goods in cheapest place then move goods over land to final destination.
States start to put posts at their borders to issue taxes on good moved across states.

12. Why it does not work?: Foreign Policy
Congress cannot force Americans to pay their debts to Britain or return land to Loyalists.
British subjects refuse to leave America until they pay.
Congress cannot work out a solution with Spain over the disputed Georgia/Spanish Territory: mouth of Mississippi River.
Closes the river to American’s shipping goods to market

13. Why it does not work?: Economics
After the American Revolution, the US experiences a severe recession.
To pay for war, states issued bonds that wealthy people bought to loan the US money to pay for the war.
To pay back the money, states issue paper money with no gold or silver to back it.
Money declines

14. Why it does not work?: Shay’s Rebellion
Massachusetts, 1786
Raised taxes instead of issuing paper money.
Hurt farmers more than anyone else: cannot pay taxes, lose farms
How can we avoid losing farms? Shut down the courthouse
Later, Daniel Shays and other rebels marched to the state supreme court, on their way they tried to seize weapons from an arsenal. The arsenal was defended by 4,000 troops. 4 die. Shays and his rebels scattered and the rebellion ended.

15. What’s Next? American’s see disadvantages to weak central government.
CALL FOR CHANGE!
Stronger central government