1. 2.3 The Articles of Confederation Essential Questions
What were the Articles of Confederation?
Why did the Articles of Confederation fail?
What did America do to create a stronger government in the 1780’s?

2. United States of America Articles of Confederation
Objective: To examine the weaknesses of the Articles of Confederation.
United States of America
Articles of Confederation

3. The Articles of Confederation
1st American Government
Created in 1777, ratified in 1781, replaced in 1787
Powers: Declare war, settle disputes among states, deal with national finances
A “firm league of friendship”.

4. Why did the Articles of Confederation fail?
1. Currency Issues
The United States did not have a common currency.
Americans carried money from the federal government, state government, and foreign nations.

5. This caused an increase in inflation.
Merchants stopped accepting money from outside of their own state.

6. Why did the Articles of Confederation fail?
2. No power to tax and a large national debt
Examples:
- The U.S. owed money to France, Holland, and Spain for loans made during the Revolutionary War.
- The U.S. had not paid their own soldiers

7. Why did the Articles of Confederation fail?
3. International and Domestic Problems
The U.S. lacked the military power for defense.
States acted as individuals and seldom agreed.
Example: Connecticut and Virginia almost went to war over land claims!

8. Why did the Articles of Confederation fail?
4. No Courts (Judicial Branch)
The nation lacked a national court system.
Supreme Court

9. Why did the Articles of Confederation fail?
5. No President (Executive Branch)
There was no one to enforce laws.
White House

10. Why did the Articles of Confederation fail?
6. Weak Congress (Legislative Branch)
Congress had one house. (unicameral)
Laws needed approval of nine states.
Congress was responsible to the states, not the people.
Congress had no power to collect taxes or regulate trade (major problems).

11. Why did the Articles of Confederation fail?
7. Very difficult to change anything
13/13 states needed to amend

12. What occurred to signal the end of the Articles of Confederation?

13. 1. Trade Issues
We were not recognized as a legitimate nation and European countries treated us unfairly
States were competing against each other
Farmers and business owners alike were suffering

14. 2. Shays’ Rebellion
• Farmer’s income decreased while taxes increased.
• Farmers who could not pay their debts had their farms taken away by the courts.
No U.S. military to
stop them, Massachusetts
sent out militia

15. • Shays’ Rebellion convinced people that the U. S
• Shays’ Rebellion convinced people that the U.S. needed a stronger government.
• The Articles of Confederation needed to be replaced!

16. Why was it so hard to change?
Cultural Differences
Even more diversity now
No sense of “American”
Economic Differences
Especially farming/slavery issues in south
Geographic Isolation
Still no technology