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ARTICLES OF CONFEDERATION. First Constitution of the United States. Approved by Continental Congress in 1777. Established in the middle of the war for independence. Colonies needed a government that would allow them to be organized against Britain. Articles of Confederation.
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ARTICLES OF CONFEDERATION • First Constitution of the United States. • Approved by Continental Congress in 1777. • Established in the middle of the war for independence. • Colonies needed a government that would allow them to be organized against Britain.
Articles of Confederation • Created a federal government. • One legislative branch with limited powers. • A congress where each state had one vote.
National Government Powers • Declare War
National Government Powers • Maintain the armed forces.
National Government Powers • Make treaties with other countries.
National Government Powers • Settle disputes between states.
National Government Powers • Borrow money.
State Powers • Collect Taxes
State Powers • Create court systems.
State Powers • Enforce laws passed by Congress.
State Powers National (Congress) Powers Declare war Maintain the army Make treaties Borrow money Settle disputes between states. • Collect taxes • Create court systems • Enforce laws passed by Congress.
Weaknesses –Articles of Confederation • Congress cannot collects taxes. • Congress cannot enforce laws.
Weaknesses –Articles of Confederation • Congress cannot control trade. • Congress cannot enforce laws.
Weaknesses –Articles of Confederation • No executive branch to force states to obey. • No judicial branch to settle disputes.
Weaknesses –Articles of Confederation • Required 9 out of 13 states to pass laws. • All states needed to agree to amend the constitution.
The Articles of Confederation • Weak central government • Limited power • No power to enforce laws
Problem: Territory • New territories available for settlement. • More than 120,000 people moved to new territories. • States disputed the land.
The Ordinance of 1785 • Law proposed by Thomas Jefferson. • Land would be sold and divided into towns. • Each town would be divided into 36 sections of 640 acres.
The Northwest Ordinance • States would be organized from Northwestern territories. • Territory could apply to become state when it reached a population of 60,000. • Territory must draft a constitution. • Slavery would be outlawed.
Problem: Economy • Money had lost it’s value. • Government was in debt with foreign countries and American citizens. • Congress tried passing taxes without success. • Economic depression.
Problem: Shay’s Rebellion • Farmers in Massachusetts grew tired of the economic situation. • A group of farmers under the leadership of Daniel Shays rose up in arms. • Their farms where taken away when they couldn’t pay the state taxes.
Problem: Shay’s Rebellion • Shays led more than 1000 farmers against the government. • The state militia confronted them. • Many rebels died and others were hanged.