1. The Articles of Confederation

2. Confederation
A league or alliance
Permanent union of sovereign states for common action in relation to other states

3. Articles of Confederation
1777 Continental Congress adopted
Laws to govern US
Needed all 13 states to ratify before it could take effect
: 11 states
1779: Delaware
March 1, 1781: Maryland (Effective Date)
Limited national government
Most power with states

4. Positives United the country during the Revolutionary War
Negotiated peace treaty with terms favorable to US
Created a system for debt reduction
Opened up most of Appalachian Mountains for settlement
Passed Northwest Ordinance of 1787
Entry of new states

5. Negatives Only one branch of government
Congress made up of delegates from states
Served as Legislative and Executive
Did not have power to tax – had to ask each state for money
National Debt - $50 million

6. Negatives Each state had own currency
Government money was not backed by gold or silver - worthless
States had individual tariffs – states taxed each other
Had to ask states for troops - no troops to enforce laws
Could not help settle disputes because no power to enforce decisions

7. Shay’s Rebellion

8. Negatives Difficult to Amend 13 out of 13 states
Difficult to pass laws
9 out of 13 states