1. The Confederation Era

2. The war is over, now what?
America was now and independent nation having won the Revolutionary War, but now what? What would the country and the government look like?

3. The Articles of Confederation
The Articles of Confederation was the name of the first government of the United States.
It had been started back in 1776 in the Continental Congress, and finally approved by all the states in 1781.

4. The Articles of Confederation was weak, on purpose
Americans were afraid of a strong national government. After all, they had fought a war over it. So, the government they decided on was weak.
The national government under the Articles did not have the power to tax or enforce laws.
The national government did have the power to wage war, but since they couldn’t tax, there was no way to pay for it.
The government could also issue money, but the states didn’t have to use it. The states had their own money.

5. Weaknesses of the Articles
Since the national government could not tax, and the national money was worthless, debt became a huge problem.
Debt = owing money
The biggest problem was that the soldiers who had fought the war, had not been paid, and they were mad.
Most of the soldiers were farmers, and they were unable to pay their debts.

6. 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

7. 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

8. 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

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

10. 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)

11. 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)

12. 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

13. What is happening in the following picture?
You are going to be looking at a picture in a few seconds? See if you can figure out what is going on in the picture. Look at the picture closely.
Describe the people, objects, where the event is happening, and what is happening. (Who, what, where, and objects)

15. Shays’ Rebellion
Farmers were taken into court, then to jail, and their land was taken away from them because they were in debt.
In 1786, an armed revolt by farmers against the state government took place.
The revolt was led by Daniel Shays.

16. The farmers began to forcibly prevent the courts from meeting so they couldn’t take anyone else’s land away or put them in jail.
Early in 1787, the Governor sent 4,400 men against the rebels and the rebels were defeated.
Shays and the other rebels were pardoned. (An official act of forgiveness)

17. Results of Shays’ Rebellion
Shays’ Rebellion showed the leaders of America that the Articles of Confederation were too weak, and a stronger national government was needed.

18. 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.

19. Shay’s rebellion proved the need to strengthen the government.
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.
Shay’s rebellion proved the need to strengthen the government.