1. Birth of a Nation: Articles of Confederation
Unit 1: A Fight for Freedom

2. Let’s Take a Look at the States
State constitutions
Feared central Authority
Protected liberties
Did not emphasize equality.
Voting restricted.
Who got the right to vote?

3. The “National” Government
Unicameral Legislature
Each state got one vote.
Did not account for population or size.
Had to have a unanimous decision to pass laws.
No Executive Branch.
No one to enforce the laws.

4. Wild Wild West Who has claims to the land in the west?
Maryland refused to sign until this was determined.
All states had to give up their claims in the West.
Articles of Confederation go into effect March of 1781

5. Land Ordinance of 1785 Split land into smaller parcels.
36 square miles makes a township.
1 square mile makes a section.
Citizens could buy sections.
Specific Sections:
Religion
Education
Future Revenue

6. Northwest Ordinance of 1787
Procedure for Statehood:
Congress would appoint a territorial governor
When a territory had 5,000 it could write a constitution.
Population reached 60,000 free inhabitants it could write official constitution and petition for statehood.

7. Issues with the Articles of Confederation
Each State only had one vote!
Unanimous Approval
RI veto's
Huge debt
No way to Tax
Voluntary
Creditors vs. Debtors
Foreign Relations

8. Shay’s Rebellion Farmer’s were facing huge debts and heavy taxes
Debtor’s prison
Farmer’s demanded that the courts be closed.
Daniel Shay
Governor Bowdoin calls up militia
Funded by private merchants
Puts down rebellion.
Sends shock around the colonies.