1. TEKS 8C: Calculate percent composition and empirical and molecular formulas. Articles of Confederation

2. TEKS 8C: Calculate percent composition and empirical and molecular formulas. Explain how the states’ new constitutions reflected republican ideals. Describe the structure and powers of the national government under the Articles of Confederation. Summarize the Congress’s plan for the settlement and governance of western lands. List the main weaknesses of the Articles. Objectives

3. TEKS 8C: Calculate percent composition and empirical and molecular formulas. Terms and People republic – a government in which the people elect their representatives unicameral legislature – a lawmaking body with a single house whose representatives are elected by the people bicameral legislature – a lawmaking body with two houses, a Senate and a House of Representatives Articles of Confederation – the original federal constitution drafted by the Continental Congress

4. TEKS 8C: Calculate percent composition and empirical and molecular formulas. Terms and People (continued) John Dickinson – a member of the Continental Congress and leader of the committee that wrote The Articles of Confederation federal – national Northwest Territory – vast territory north of Ohio and west of Pennsylvania to the Mississippi River, which was key to expanding the republic Land Ordinance of 1785 – plan to dispense and distribute public land in the Northwest Territory

5. TEKS 8C: Calculate percent composition and empirical and molecular formulas. Terms and People (continued) Northwest Ordinance of 1787 – plan for governing and creating new states carved out of the Northwest Territory Shays’ Rebellion – an uprising of armed farmers who marched on a federal arsenal in Springfield, Massachusetts, in protest against higher taxes

6. TEKS 8C: Calculate percent composition and empirical and molecular formulas. What form of national government did the Patriots create initially, and what events revealed that a new government was necessary? After the Revolutionary War, the Patriots feared entrusting the Congress with too much power. Most authority remained with the states. But strong state governments and a weak national government led to problems.

7. TEKS 8C: Calculate percent composition and empirical and molecular formulas. Congress encouraged the former colonies to create state constitutions. Patriots disagreed over the design of these republics, especially over how much power to give the common people. Although state constitutions varied, each provided for a republic in which people voted for their representatives.

8. TEKS 8C: Calculate percent composition and empirical and molecular formulas. Weak state governments with most of their powers in a popularly elected legislature Unicameral legislature, or one having single house, with either a weak governor or no governor at all A large House of Representatives with small districts so that the people had more control Democratic Patriots like Thomas Paine wanted more power for common people. They favored

9. TEKS 8C: Calculate percent composition and empirical and molecular formulas. A governor with broad powers Bicameral legislature, or one with two houses An upper house or senate made up of wealthy, well-educated gentlemen who would balance a lower house elected by the common people Conservative Patriots like John Adams feared giving power to the common people. They favored

10. TEKS 8C: Calculate percent composition and empirical and molecular formulas. Democratic states like Pennsylvania allowed all male taxpayers over age 21 to vote. Conservative states preserved colonial requirements of property ownership for voting. None of the states gave the vote to women or to slaves. Over time, the states grew more democratic. The House of Representatives gained more power at the expense of the Senate and governor. There was also debate over who should vote.

11. TEKS 8C: Calculate percent composition and empirical and molecular formulas. Most new state constitutions guaranteed freedom of religion. Previously, colonies collected taxes for religious institutions. Now, religious freedom and pluralism became the norm. The Virginia Statute for Religious Freedom, written by Thomas Jefferson set the example. It allowed for religious liberty free of state influence. All men shall be free to profess, and by argument to maintain, their opinions in matters of Religion. —Thomas Jefferson Virginia Statute for Religious Freedom, 1786

12. TEKS 8C: Calculate percent composition and empirical and molecular formulas. This first national constitution created a loose confederation, or league of states, in 1777. Congress drafted the Articles of Confederation under the leadership of John Dickinson of Pennsylvania. Congress’s power was limited to prevent the problems experienced under Britain. The Articles of Confederation was created by the Continental Congress.

13. TEKS 8C: Calculate percent composition and empirical and molecular formulas. Congress implemented and enforced laws. Executive power was shared by committees. Each state had one vote in Congress. Minor issues were passed by a simple majority. Major issues, like declaring war, required nine states. Amendments to the Articles required the agreement of all 13 states. Under the Articles, government power was limited.

14. TEKS 8C: Calculate percent composition and empirical and molecular formulas. Congress had a limited role. There was also no federal court system. Congress couldCongress could not Declare war or conduct foreign policy Raise money through taxes Administer relations with Indian nations Regulate commerce between states or states and foreign nations

15. TEKS 8C: Calculate percent composition and empirical and molecular formulas. The Articles created a method to settle and govern the Northwest Territory.

16. TEKS 8C: Calculate percent composition and empirical and molecular formulas. Surveyors divided the territory into a grid of lines north to south and east to west, establishing hundreds of townships. Each township was subdivided into sections of one square mile (640 acre), to sell at $1 each. Many farmers couldn’t afford the $1 an acre, and some land speculators got special deals. The Land Ordinance of 1785 established a method to distribute public land.

17. TEKS 8C: Calculate percent composition and empirical and molecular formulas. The Land Ordinance of 1785 grid system is still evident today.

18. TEKS 8C: Calculate percent composition and empirical and molecular formulas. The Northwest Ordinance of 1787 set up a system to govern territories and create states. Congress established a territorial government and appointed a governor. Settlers were guaranteed freedom of religion, trial by jury, and rights of common law. Once there were 5,000 men, an assembly could be elected. The appointed governor retained veto power. Once there were 60,000 residents, a territory could apply for statehood. It abandoned the British model of keeping colonies permanently subordinate.

19. TEKS 8C: Calculate percent composition and empirical and molecular formulas. The Northwest Ordinance Barred slavery Required a republican constitution Promised settlers basic freedoms Ignored the rights of Native Americans Resulted in five new states: Ohio, Indiana, Illinois, Michigan, Wisconsin, and part of Minnesota

20. TEKS 8C: Calculate percent composition and empirical and molecular formulas. European nations did not take the new nation seriously. Spain forbade American trade with New Orleans. Britain denied American ships access to the British West Indies and the right to export goods to Britain on American ships. Britain kept soldiers in frontier forts located in the Northwest Territory.

21. TEKS 8C: Calculate percent composition and empirical and molecular formulas. Growing problems led to calls for a revision of the Articles of Confederation. The nation’s debt was mounting. The economic depression was deepening as debts, bankruptcies, and foreclosures grew. Foreign nations did not respect the United States.

22. TEKS 8C: Calculate percent composition and empirical and molecular formulas. Shays’ Rebellion demonstrated the weakness of the national government. In 1787, Daniel Shays led about 1,000 farmers in a raid on a federal arsenal in Massachusetts to protest taxes and farm foreclosures. The revolt failed, but many people saw the unrest as a sign that a stronger central government was needed.