1. Articles of Confederation – our 1st constitution
Ch 7 Lecture #1
Articles of Confederation – our 1st constitution

2. Objective: Explain the type of federal and state governments established by U.S. Intro: Once the U.S. declared their independence from GB, not only did we have to fight the war (American Revolution), but we were also busy establishing both federal and state governments.

3. Obj: Identify the types of governments set-up by the states
Adopted state constitutions that limited the power of the Governor (like the Magna Carta limited power of the King)
Divided power between governor and legislature
Created bicameral legislature = 2 house legislature (House of Reps and Senate)
State legislators elected by “popular election”, meaning elected by the people.

4. Federal government
Articles of Confederation (AOC) = First constitution
“Confederation govt” means US govt while Articles of Conf in effect
Very weak document because it did not give enough power to the federal govt and it is not our constitution for long

5. Weaknesses of AOC (see chart pg 206) Basic problem – Articles of Confederation created a weak fed govt/state govts had all the power
1. Congress could not pass a law unless nine states voted in for it.
2. Congress could not add states
3. Congress could not regulate trade
4. Fed govt could not force soldiers to join the army
5. Fed govt could not impose taxes
6. Needed unanimous vote to amend the constitution
7. Fed govt could not enforce their own laws because we had no single chief executive (Pres.) to enforce the laws

6. 2 Successes of Articles of Confederation
Kept states (colonies) together long enough to win the Revolutionary War
Provided for new states in the West
a. Ordinance of 1785
b. NW Ordinance 1787

7. (Students: Create this graphic organizer
(Students: Create this graphic organizer!!!) Title: Land Policy – created by Confederation Govt

8. Students: Create this graphic organizer Title: NW Ordinance (1787)

9. Click the mouse button or press the Space Bar to display the answer.
How many acres are in a section?
A section was 640 acres.
Click the mouse button or press the Space Bar to display the answer.