The United States Under the Articles of Confederation

The United States Under the Articles of Confederation LEQ#1- What are the provisions of the AOC?

The Articles of Confederation • Nov. 1777: Continental Congress adopted the first framework for a federal government • The Articles of Confederation and Perpetual Union organized the 13 former colonies into a loose Union under the central authority of Congress

Weak Federal Government • The Articles deliberately left the central government very weak; states feared that a strong central government would become tyrannical • Without a strong federal government, however, creating a “United States” proved difficult

How the Government Operated • Each state selected 3 – 7 Congressional representatives each (although each state only received one vote in Congress) • Once a year those representatives were sent to serve in the capital of Philadelphia • The government had no legislative or judicial branches – Congress was the government

Powers of Congress • The Confederation Congress had the right to declare war and sign treaties with foreign powers; they also served to resolve disputes between states • The Confederation Congress could NOT levy taxes or put any restrictions on trade

Land = Revenue • In order to generate revenue, Congress could only sell unsettled lands west of the Appalachians (which the 13 states had ceded to the central government as part of ratification of the Articles) • In order to sell these lands, however, Congress first had to survey and map it and then find settlers interested in buying tracts • To encourage settlement, the Congress had to also figure out a way to govern the region

The Northwest Ordinance • 1787: Congress passed the Northwest Ordinance, which laid out a plan for organizing and governing the Northwest Territory (modern Ohio, Indiana, Illinois, Michigan & Wisconsin, + part of Minnesota)

The Northwest Territory • At first, Congress appointed a governor and other temporary officials to the Territory • Once 5000 adult male citizens had settled in a territory, they could elect a legislature • Once population reached 60,000 people, it could apply for full statehood • 3. No Slavery of Religion

Protected Rights • The Ordinance guaranteed freedom of religion, protection of property rights, and trial by jury • It also banned slavery, reinforcing a trend of slavery in the South, but not in the North

Where did the AOC place most of its power? Give two examples from the chart. • Why was the first government of the United States Set up this way?

LEQ- What were the provisions of the AOC? Directions- Please complete the following: A- Examine the AOC document and create a Graphic Organizer on the powers given to the state and national government and weakness. H- Examine the AOC and complete the exercise lesson II-4. You will have 15 minutes.

Honors Check Part #1- B, D, F, and J Part #2 Y #8 Y #9 Y#10 Y #9 N #5 N # 9 Y #9 N #9 Y #13 Y # 3 Y #6 N # 2

AOC Discussion Questions • Under the Articles of Confederation how did the national government fund its programs? • What did the monetary system look like? • How were national laws enforced? • How were amendments to the Articles enacted? • What was necessary to pass new laws? • What was the role of the executive branch?

LEQ #2- What are the strengths and weakness of the AOC? (1st Block) Directions- Each group will be handed a set of case studies on the AOC. The group will complete the following: 1. Individually read your case study and complete GO. (10). 2. Collaborately explain and summarize your case studies to the group. (5) 3. Once each member have shared their GO and summarize their case study, all group members will fill in the AOC Case study Chart. (10)

Articles of Confederation Chart

The United States Under the Articles of Confederation