1. After Independence
-13 individual colonies with 13 different governments
-very loose association of the 13 states in a confederate style government that was totally unwritten
-Within a few years all Colonies changed charters into state constitutions= states

2. State Governments
-every state wrote its own constitution (or form of Gov’t)
-all had three branches
1.legislative (Pass laws)
2. executive (military)
3. Judicial (make sure laws are carried out)
-guaranteed certain rights in the bill of rights
Examples: trial by jury & protection of private property

3. Need for Cooperation: Why should all the colonies unite under one Government!?
1. Revolutionary War
~ $ War cost lots of money
2. Strength of the British military
~13 small forces = no match to them
3. weakness of the colonial militias
~not as well trained compared to a whole nation fighting together as one

4. National Government -would need a method of cooperation
-limited control would be given to a central government *they lacked faith in powerful gov’t, why?
-would not be able to control the 13 states
.... All these reasons and more- the 2nd Continental Congress made plans for a UNION of the states
-Articles of Confederation signed in 1781 – Our first attempt at a national government

5. Articles of Confederation
-1 house legislature
-1 vote per state
-9 of 13 state Legislators required to pass laws
-controls the military (But NO ONE person is really over the military)
-power to make treaties
-Land Ordinance 1785
-lands past the Appalachians were declared new territories
-NW Ordinance 1787
-banned slavery in NW areas and set up process of adding additional states

6. Articles of Confederation
-1 house legislature
-1 vote per state
-9 of 13 required to pass laws
-controls the military
-power to make treaties
-Land Ordinance 1785
-lands past the Appalachians were declared new territories
-NW Ordinance 1787
-banned slavery in NW areas and set up process of adding additional states

7. Weaknesses -could not enforce laws- no Executive Branch
-could not tax Congress could ask states for money, but not demand it
-no executive branch- no one over the military
-no court system – no one to enforce or interpret laws
-could not regulate trade between states

9. Time to get creative…
Create something showing the weakness in the Articles of Confederation
Your creation must include 4 specific weaknesses of the Articles
Ideas: draw something, make a bumper sticker, cartoon, poem, song, dance, turn an everyday object into something weak
Whatever format you choose, it should have something to do with weakness

10. Future Problems
-taxation problems - During the Revolutionary War Congress had to BORROW money to help pay for it! –Heavily in Debt- 2 years to repay-
State Gov’ts in debt as well
Tax Citizens heavily
Sparks Resentment
farmers are out of Business
Taxed Imported Goods= hurt trade

11. Shays’ Rebellion -Daniel Shay was a farmer in debt Shays’ Rebellion
-Event that occurred when Massachusetts farmers revolted over high state taxes and caused people to realize the weakness of the government
Americans feared the Government could not protect their safety
-Daniel Shay was a farmer in debt
Mass. Courts threaten to take Farm away
“state had no right to punish him for their problem” – Shays’ claim
Arm 1,200 farmers- revolt on federal arsenal
Quickly stopped: BUT BIG Wake up CALL!

12. What we learn from Shay’s Rebellion
Many people began arguing for a stronger National government- like G.W.
The Articles of Confederation created:
trade barriers
inability to pass laws
lack of strong executive (someone in charge)
1787 – 12 states sent delegates to a meeting in Philadelphia to revise/ change the Articles of Confederation