1. The Articles of Confederation
Chapter 2 Section 2
The Articles of Confederation
By the end of Lesson should be able to answer:
What weakness of the Articles of Confederation made enforcing the laws of Congress impossible?
What evidence shows that financial problems were the main cause of the call to amend the Articles of Confederation?
Key Terms
Ratify
Unicameral
Cede
Ordinance

2. The Articles of Confederation
The Articles were written in 1777 by John Dickinson, a Penn. statesman
Articles of Confederation- continued the structure and operation of government by the 2nd Continental Congress.
The Articles were accepted by Congress in 1781 and is considered the first national constitution

3. Government Under The Articles of Confederation
The colonies were afraid of having too much power in in one person’s hands.
This was the problem they were experiencing.
In the Articles the state governments limit the power of the national Congress.
Unicameral- single chamber

4. Congressional Powers Under The Articles of Confederation
Make War and Peace
Send and receive ambassadors
Raise and equip a navy
Maintain an army by requesting troops from other states
Appoint senior military officers

5. Weaknesses of the Articles of Confederation
The Articles created a weak national government.
Each state had no intention on giving up its sovereignty to a central government.
Congress had no power to raise taxes.
Only could raise money by borrowing or requesting money from the states. (If state refused, Congress could do nothing)
Congress had no power regulate foreign or state trade.
Many states and countries argued over money issues.

6. Weaknesses of the Articles of Confederation
Laws had to be approved by 9 out of 13 states.
Usually only 9 or 10 delegates were in congress all at once.
Also, each state only had one vote. (Small states blocking votes of larger states)
Congress did not have the power to force anyone to obey its laws
Congress can only advise and request the states to follow along.

7. Strengths of the Articles of Confederation
The Articles of Confederation accomplished many important tasks despite its weaknesses:
The Treaty of Paris 1783 was signed
Great Britain recognized America as a country.
All lands west of Appalachian Mountains ceded their claims to these territories.
Ceded- to give up control

8. Strengths of the Articles of Confederation
The Northwest Ordinance was past.
Ordinance – laws
Northwest Ordinance- territories were to be developed for statehood on an equal basis with all states.
Congress now has the power to declare war and peace, print money, make treaties and settle state disputes.

9. Settling Western lands
The Northwest Ordinance provides an orderly settlement process in the West.
It promised
no slavery
education
freedom of religion
trial by jury

10. Northwest Territory
The Northwest Territory was east of the Mississippi River and north of the Ohio River. The states of Ohio, Indiana, Illinois, Michigan, and Wisconsin would be formed from this area.

11. Daniel Shays’s Rebellion

12. Shays’s Rebellion Group Work

13. Shays’s Rebellion Video

14. Reasons for Shay’s Rebellion
Farmers are required to pay debts in gold, they have no money because they were not paid during the war.
Wealthy lawmakers invested their money in the war too. And seek to get money from the farmers debts.

15. Shays’s Rebellion
Poor farmers are not represented in the Mass legislature and cannot pass debt relief laws.
The rebellion will free debtors from prisons and close courts that are hearing cases against farmers.

16. Shays’s Rebellion The Mass militia is called out to stop it.
Poor farmers in 1791 elect officials who support their stance and will close courthouses and demand financial help from the Congress.
Shays’s Rebellion will prompt national leaders to create a stronger central government.

17. Samuel Adams Said What?!
“Rebellion against a king may be pardoned, or lightly punished, but the man who dares to rebel against the laws of a republic ought to suffer death.”

18. Thomas Jefferson Said What?!
“A little rebellion now and then is a good thing. It is a medicine necessary for the sound health of government. God forbid that we should ever be twenty years without such a rebellion."