1. Articles of Confederation
Constitution # 2
Articles of Confederation

2. Declaration of Independence July 4, 1776
Thomas Jefferson declares that “all men are created equal” and thus no one should have to answer to a king, especially one that is a tyrant and denies us our “unalienable rights”
This officially separates us from Great Britain and now we must form our own government

3. Forming a Government
What did the Founding Fathers want to avoid when creating an American government? Or what didn’t they like about the current British government? Or why did they fight the Revolutionary War?

4. Articles of Confederation (1777)
First document that outlines our gov
Establishes a “firm league of friendship” b/w colonies

5. National Govt under AofC
Congress: legislative (law making) body
Unicameral: one house
1 vote per state
9/13 states to pass a law
Supermajority
13/13 (unanimous) agreement to amend (change) the articles

6. Powers of Congress
Declare war
Ratify (approve) treaties

7. Weaknesses Congress could NOT Tax Regulate trade
States charged tariffs on other states’ goods
Regulate currency
Each state had its own

8. Congress also could NOT….
Enforce laws on states
No national court system
No president

9. This led to … States having ultimate power
Each state became greatly in debt

10. Shays’ Rebellion (1787)
Angry farmer who were losing land due to an economic crisis
Leads angry, violent mob
Riots end, but leaves many wondering about the state of the country