1. Chapter 2 Section 3
Mr. Plude

2. Articles of Confederation
1777
Second Continental Congress
The Articles of Confederation
Plan for a National Government

3. Articles of confederation

5. First National Government
Articles of Confederation
New model of government
Build “firm league of friendship” among
States retained “sovereignty, freedom and independence”
June 12, 1777: Articles of Confederation adopted
Had to be ratified before going into force

6. First National Government
Delay in Ratification
Disputes over control of western lands
Small states feared large states with claims to western lands would overpower them.
Articles allowed Confederation control of western lands.
Articles ratified in 1781

8. Powers of National Government
Created weak national government No national court system One-house Congress (Unicameral) Could act on matters of common interest Admit new states Settle disputes Coin money Raise army Declare war Conduct foreign policy

9. State Powers Collect taxes Enforce national laws
Contribute funds to national government as they saw fit
States retained all powers not specifically given to Congress (10th Amendment)

11. Weaknesses of the Articles
No Executive Branch
Could not carry out Congress’s laws
Could not execute policy

12. Weaknesses of the Articles
No National Court system
State courts to applied national laws
Articles denied Congress power to tax
Could not pay war debt
Could not regulate trade

13. Weaknesses of the Articles
Congress and States could coin money
Devalued money creating barrier to trade
Obstacles to economic development
Congress required to have 9 of 13 states to ratify laws
One state could raise objections to block changes in Articles

14. Pressures for Stronger Government
Northwest Ordinance
1787: Northwest Ordinance planned for settling Northwest Territory
Included areas now in Illinois, Indiana, Michigan, Ohio, Minnesota and Wisconsin—disputed western lands that had delayed ratification of the Articles
Created system for admitting new states, banned slavery, included bill of rights

16. Pressures for Stronger Government
Dangers and Unrest
-Most pressing problem: war debts
-1783: Congress tried to approve tax on imports but act never ratified and government went broke
-Postwar depression struck
-States pursued own interests, flouting national laws; like “13 sovereignties pulling against each other”

18. Pressures for Stronger Government
Shay’s Rebellion
September 1786: rebellion of Massachusetts farmers facing prospect of losing land
Revolutionary War Captain Daniel Shays led attacks on courthouses to prevent judges from foreclosing on farms.

19. Pressures for Stronger Government
Shay’s Rebellion
Shay’s Rebellion swelled to nearly 2,500 by 1787.
Massachusetts legislature asked Congress for help; Congress had no money or forces
Shay’s Rebellion showed how feeble the Confederation Congress was and hastened moves to revise the Articles.

21. Pressures for Stronger Government
Calls to Revise the Articles
March 1785: Washington invites representatives from Virginia and Maryland to his home at Mount Vernon to discuss resolving trade dispute.
Led to meeting to discuss regulating commerce between all the states

22. Pressures for Stronger Government
Calls to Revise the Articles
February 1787: James Madison persuades the Confederation Congress to endorse meeting for “purpose of revising the Articles of Confederation.”
May 1787: meeting to strengthen Articles held in Philadelphia