1. Articles of Confederation
By Mrs. Andreatta
Chapter 4 Section 1

2. Constitution? This is what it is:
Constitution – a basic set of principles and laws that state the powers and duties of the government.

3. What America Based Decisions On:
Magna Carta – 1215 – King has to obey laws.
English Bill of Rights – The king cannot pass or change laws without the consent of Parliament.
John Locke/Rousseau – “Natural Rights and “Social Contract” between rulers and their people.

4. Your Job Your group is your row
Your row needs to create 3 laws that will support your rights as a student, yet will also help assist you in your education and be supportive of your teachers.
EVERYONE in your group has to agree to these three laws.

5. What did you base your laws on?
Experience?
What you would like to have, but don’t have now?
You went along with everyone else?
Didn’t care?
Didn’t know what was going on?

6. Confused?

7. Our Leaders Couldn’t Afford to be Confused!

8. What they did / terms
State Constitutions – limited government power & protected it’s citizens.
Suffrage = the right to vote – at this time white males who pay taxes.

9. Articles of Confederation
National Constitution – National gov. with limited powers.
Congress can settle disputes between states, make coins, borrow $$, ask states for soldiers and $$, make treaties.
States can refuse requests.
There is no President or Court system.
Ratified (accepted) in March 1781.

10. Weaknesses of Articles of Confederation
Most governmental power was held by states.
Only one branch of government (Legislative Branch)
No Judicial System (court system)
No President
No system of checks and balances!

11. What about all that new land?
Passed Land Ordinance of 1785
Paid for debts from Revolutionary War.
Surveyed and divided western lands
Townships were created and divided into
lots for sale to the public

12. What this looked like Page 116 in Book

13. North West Ordinance of 1787
Created a system of creating new states.
Created a provision for public education and prohibited slavery.
When population of a territory reached 60,000 free white males they could petition to become a state.
Must create a state constitution
Illinois, Indiana, Michigan, Ohio, Minnesota, and Wisconsin were added this way.

14. Map

15. Federal Capital – NYC