The Articles of Confederation

1. The Articles of Confederation

2. Do Now • Define the vocabulary words on pages 176 and 184 of your textbook. • Define the words convention and amend on pages 187 and 188.

3. Activity • Which snack would you prefer? • A. Ice Cream • B. Pizza • C. Takis • D. Empanadas

4. New Government • After gaining independence, Americans did not want to put too much power into the hands of any ruler or body • States divided power between the governor (or council) and the legislature • Most states set up two-house or bicameral, legislatures to divide the work of the government even further • People agreed the new country should be a republic, or government in which citizens rule through elected representatives

5. The Articles of Confederation • The Articles were written in 1777 by John Dickinson, a Pennsylvania statesman • The Articles were accepted by Congress in 1781 and is considered the first national constitution

6. The Articles of Confederation • The fear of having too much power in one person’s hands reflects the experiences the colonies had under a monarchy • In the Articles, the state governments limit the power of the national Congress

7. Weaknesses of the Articles of Confederation • Congress had no power to raise taxes • Money had depreciated, or fallen in value, and Congress could not easily raise money • Congress had no power regulate foreign or state trade • Laws had to be approved by 9 out of 13 states • Changing the Articles required the approval of all 13 states • Each state had one vote regardless of population • Congress did not have the power to enforce laws

8. Relations with Britain • The United States had promised to repay Britain for Loyalists’ land taken during the war. • They could not raise the money from the states, and so Britain blocked trade routes to the West Indies and British markets, and continued to occupy several forts in the Great Lakes region.

9. Relations with Spain • Spain controlled Florida, as well as lands west of the Mississippi River

10. Relations with Spain • They wanted to stop settlement into their territory, so they closed the lower Mississippi River to American shipping • In 1786, American diplomats reached a new trade agreement with Spain, but Southern states blocked the agreement because it did not include the right to use the Mississippi River

11. Strengths of the Articles of Confederation • The Treaty of Paris 1783 was signed • The Northwest Ordinance was passed • Congress had the power to declare war and peace, borrow and print money, make treaties, and settle state disputes

12. Strengths of the Articles of Confederation: Settling Western Lands • The Land Ordinance of 1785, stated that land in the west was to be surveyed using a grid system to establish 6 mile blocks • Townships were 6 miles long and 6 miles wide • Townships were divided into 36 sections • Each section was sold at auction

13. The Land Ordinance of 1785

14. Strengths of the Articles of Confederation: Settling Western Lands • The Northwest Ordinance assisted in the orderly expansion of the United States, it outlined a plan for applying for statehood to western territories • 5,000 free males who own 50 acres can start a government • Population of 60,000 could become a state

15. 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

16. 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.

17. Reasons for Shay’s Rebellion • The United States fell into a depression, a period when economic activity slows and unemployment increases.

18. 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

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

20. Shays’s Rebellion • The Massachusetts 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

21. 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.”

22. Views about Shays’s Rebellion • Adams will also write a law called the Riot Act, which prohibits 12 people or more from meeting and gives the government the power to shoot rioters! • Samuel sure has changed since 1776!

23. 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."

24. Wrap Up 1 • How did states divide their power within government? Why? • What is a republic? • What were some of the problems with the Articles of Confederation? • What were some of the advantages of the Articles of Confederation? • Describe the Ordinance of 1785 and the Northwest Ordinance?

25. Wrap Up 2 • What were our relations with Britain and Spain like at this time? • What is depreciation? How did it affect citizens? • What was Shay’s rebellion? Why was it a significant event in terms of changing the Articles of Confederation?