1. Weaknesses of the Articles of Confederation
Congress had no power to raise taxes
Congress had no power regulate foreign or state trade
Laws had to be approved by 9 out of 13 states
Congress did not have the power to enforce laws

2. Strengths of the Articles of Confederation
The Treaty of Paris 1783 was signed
The Northwest Ordinance was past
Had the power to declare war and peace, print money, make treaties and settle state disputes

3. Strengths of the Articles of Confederation: Settling Western Lands
The Land Ordinance of 1785, stated that land in the west was to be surveyed using a grid system to establish 6 mile blocks
The Northwest Ordinance assisted in the orderly expansion of the United States, it outlined a plan for applying for statehood to western territories
5,000 free males who own 50 acres can start govt
Population of 60,000 could become a state

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

5. Northwest Territory
The Northwest Territory was east of the Mississippi River and north of the Ohio River. The states of Ohio, Indiana, Illinois, Michigan, and Wisconsin would be formed from this area.

6. The Economy
By 1781, the currency, called a “Continental”, had depreciated so far as to be almost worthless.
High inflation
1779 – 1 Spanish Dollar = 40 Continentals
Spanish Dollar = 146 Continentals

7. Reasons for Shay’s Rebellion
Farmers are required to pay debts in gold, they have no money because they were not paid during the war
Wealthy lawmakers invested their money in the war too. And seek to get money from the farmers debts

8. Shays’s Rebellion
Poor farmers are not represented in the Mass legislature and cannot pass debt relief laws
The rebellion will free debtors from prisons and close courts that are hearing cases against farmers

9. Shays’s Rebellion The Mass militia is called out to stop it
Poor farmers in 1791 elect officials who support their stance and will close courthouses and demand financial help from the Congress
Shays’s Rebellion will prompt national leaders to create a stonger central government

10. Samuel Adams Said What?!
“Rebellion against a king may be pardoned, or lightly punished, but the man who dares to rebel against the laws of a republic ought to suffer death”

11. Views about Shays’s Rebellion
Adams will also write a law called the Riot Act, which prohibits 12 people or more from meeting and gives the government the power to shoot rioters!
Samuel sure has changed since 1776!

12. Thomas Jefferson Said What?!
"A little rebellion now and then is a good thing. It is a medicine necessary for the sound health of government. God forbid that we should ever be twenty years without such a rebellion."