1. The Articles of Confederation
The Articles were accepted by Congress in 1781 and is considered the first national constitution

2. Second continental congress
Confederation = league/loose union of independent states
The 13 newly independent colonies needed a new form of government
The Second Continental Congress began writing the Articles of Confederation in 1777
before the war was even over!

3. Learning Target: Success Criteria:
We will understand why the colonists were afraid of a strong national government and how our first attempt at a national government FAILED.
Success Criteria:
I will be able to identify the strengths and weaknesses of the Articles of Confederation.

4. What did the Confederation look like?
Only men who owned property could vote or hold public office.
What did the Confederation look like?
Bill of Rights?
Judicial
Court System
EXECUTIVE
President?
Population was not a concern. Large states did not like this.
Rarely could you get 9 states to agree on anything.
All 13 votes were needed to make any changes

5. Powers of the Articles of Confederation
Powers Granted
Powers Denied
Declare war and make peace
Executive Branch
Maintain an army and navy
Raising Taxes
Make treaties with
other countries
Stop states from printing
their own money
Regulate trade with other
Countries or between states
Borrow Money
Establish a postal service
Court System
Settle disputes
between states

6. Weaknesses of the Articles
Congress had no power to raise taxes
Lacked power to enforce laws
Congress had no power regulate foreign or state trade
Laws had to be approved by 9 out of 13 states
Had no executive or judicial system
Allowed states to print money = INFLATION

7. Strengths of the Articles
Governed the U.S. during the end of the American Revolution
Helped negotiate the Treaty of Paris 1783
Land Ordinance of 1785
The Northwest Ordinance
Had the power to declare war and peace, print money, make treaties and settle state disputes

8. Settling Western Lands
The Land Ordinance of 1785 established definite boundary lines so there would be no confusion and legal disputes over land ownership. Allowed land to be sold.

9. Northwest Territory
The Northwest Territory was bordered by three bodies of water:
-Mississippi River -Ohio River
-Great lakes.
The states of Ohio, Indiana, Illinois, Michigan, and Wisconsin would be formed from this area.

10. Settling of Western Lands
The Northwest Ordinance assisted in the orderly expansion of the United States, it outlined a plan for applying for statehood to western territories and how they would be governed.
Territory governed by a governor, secretary, and three judges
5,000 free males who own 50 acres can elect a legislature and send a rep. to Congress
Population of 60,000 could apply to become a state

11. Settling of Western Lands
The Northwest Ordinance provides an orderly settlement process in the West
It promised-
no slavery
education
freedom of religion
trial by jury

13. Shay’s Rebellion
Shays’ Rebellion is the name given to a series of protests in 1786 and 1787 by American farmers against state and local enforcement.
Rebellion was most serious in Massachusetts, where bad harvests, economic depression, and high taxes threatened farmers with the loss of their farms.
The rebellion took its name from its symbolic leader, Daniel Shays of Massachusetts, a former captain in the Continental army.

14. Shay’s Rebellion
Poor farmers are not represented in the Mass legislature and cannot pass debt relief laws
The purpose of the rebellion is to free debtors from prisons and close courts that are hearing cases against farmers

15. Shay’s Rebellion
The Massachusetts militia puts down rebellion
Although it never seriously threatened the stability of the United States, Shays’ Rebellion greatly alarmed politicians throughout the nation.
Proponents of constitutional reform at the national level saw the rebellion as justification for revision or replacement of the Articles of Confederation
What about Shay’s Rebellion caused national leaders to call for government reform?