1. The Articles of Confederation
America’s 1st Constitution
Strengths
Weaknesses
The first system of government designed by the Founding Fathers was a Confederation. Under a Confederate system, the National or Central Government is given only a few powers, while most of the power is reserved for the States.

2. The Articles of Confederation
America’s 1st Constitution
The Articles had 2 major achievements:
Bringing the Revolutionary War to a successful conclusion
Northwest Ordinance (plan for governing the western lands)

3. The Articles of Confederation
America’s 1st Constitution
Strengths
Weaknesses
Congress was given the power to:
Declare War &
Establish an Army/Navy
No Power to Draft Soldiers

4. The Articles of Confederation
America’s 1st Constitution
Strengths
Weaknesses
Congress was given the power to:
Make Peace & Sign Treaties
No Power to Enforce Treaties

5. The Articles of Confederation
America’s 1st Constitution
Strengths
Weaknesses
Congress was given the power to:
No Power to Collect Taxes from the States
Borrow Money

6. The Articles of Confederation
America’s 1st Constitution
Strengths
Weaknesses
Congress was given the power to:
Organize a
Post Office

7. The Articles of Confederation
America’s 1st Constitution
Strengths
Weaknesses
Congress was given the power to:
No Chief Executive
No national court system
No Power to Regulate Interstate Commerce
No National Currency
Difficult to Pass laws (2/3 vote)

8. The Articles of Confederation
America’s 1st Constitution
Strengths
Weaknesses
Congress was given the power to:
Difficult to Amend
(unanimous vote needed to change the articles)

9. The Articles of Confederation
No Chief Executive
No National Court System
No Power to Draft Soldiers
No Power to Control Interstate Commerce
No Power to Enforce Treaties
No Power to Collect Taxes from the States
Difficult to Pass Laws (2/3 vote)
No National Currency
Difficult to Amend
(Unanimous Vote Needed to Change Articles)
Congress given the power to:
Declare War
Make Peace
Sign Treaties
Borrow Money
Establish an Army & Navy
Organize a Post Office

10. Conclusion
Why did the Founding Fathers choose a Confederation plan of government?
They feared that a strong central government would create tyranny, and stamp out the peoples natural God given rights.

11. Northwest Territory The Northwest Territory
Was a need to organize the settlement of the vast Northwest Territory—present-day Wisconsin, Illinois, Indiana, Ohio, and Michigan
Western land claims
Articles of Confederation did not address the question of new states.
States had to give up their western land claims to the central government.
Most states gave up their lands by the early 1790s.

12. Northwest Territory Dividing western lands
The territory was divided into 10 districts.
Land Ordinance of 1785
Land would be surveyed and divided into a neat grid of townships, each 6 miles square.
Each township had 36 sections, each 1 mile square.
Government owned four of the sections.
One section would be sold to support public schools.
This same regular grid was used in other territories. It ended many boundary disputes.

14. Northwest Territory Northwest Ordinance was passed in 1787.
Encouraged orderly settlement and the formation of new states, all controlled by law
Promised settlers religious freedom and other civil rights
Did not allow slavery in the Northwest Territory
A single governor was put in charge.
A district could become territory with a population of 5,000 adult males. Then could send a nonvoting representative to Congress
A territory could write a constitution and apply for statehood with a population of 60,000.

15. Conclusion
Why Did the Founding Fathers believe the Articles needed to be replaced by the US Constitution?
The nation needed to function as ONE united country & not 13 small unorganized nations.