ARTICLES OF CONFEDERATION

DO NOW

Create a T Chart

Write down the strengths of the JP Case

government on one side, and the weaknesses

on the other.

State Government: a system to run each state,

like the New Jersey government

Federal Government: a system to run the entire

country. Like the United States government.

Articles of Confederation: The first government

of the United States after independence from

England.

Federal Control

declare war

give

soldiers make or ask for $

settle fights between states

foreign relations

vote on

laws trade

Enforce

Laws

collect

taxes

State Control

deal with Native Americans

ARTICLES OF CONFEDERATION SETUP

The first national government of the United States was established in March 1781.

The state governments (NJ) had more power than the national or government (US)

Founders were fearful of concentrated power due to past experience with the British

ARTICLES OF CONFEDERATION SETUP

Each state received one vote, regardless of its size

or population.

Needed 9 of the 13 states to vote yes to a bill.

Needed a unanimous vote to make a change to

the Articles of Confederation.

No President (enforces laws) or National Court

(interprets laws)

Unicameral Congress- one house

ACCOMPLISHMENTS

Congress passed Land Ordinance of 1785 to raise money to pay debts.

Ordinance provided for surveying and dividing western lands.

Land was split into townships.

Each township was divided into lots for sale to the public.

Congress passed Northwest Ordinance of 1787.

Established Northwest Territory and a system for creating new states

Included what are now the states of Illinois, Indiana, Michigan, Ohio, Minnesota, and Wisconsin

Required the provision of public education and banned slavery

ARTICLES OF CONFEDERATION WEAKNESSES

The national government could not force the

states to obey its laws

It did not have the power to tax

It did not have the power to enforce laws

Congress lacked strong and steady leadership

There was no national army or navy

ARTICLES OF CONFEDERATION WEAKNESSES

There was no system of national courts

Each state issued its own paper money

Each state could put tariffs on trade between

states ( a tariff is a tax on goods coming in from

another state or country).

Why did the Articles of Confederation fail?

I. Currency Issues

• The United States did not have a common currency.

• Americans carried money from

the federal government, state

government, and foreign nations.

Inflation was a problem in many states, which struggled to pay off war debts by printing money. Inflation occurs when there are increased prices for goods and services combined with the reduced value of money.

Why did the Articles of Confederation fail?

II. Debt

• Congress could not tax the people and depended on money

from the states.

• Therefore, the U.S. was unable to pay its debts!

Examples:

- The U.S. owed money to France, Holland, and Spain for

loans made during the Revolutionary War.

- The U.S. had not paid many of their own soldiers!

Why did the Articles of Confederation fail?

III. International and Domestic Problems

• The U.S. lacked the

military power to defend

itself against Great Britain

and Spain.

• States acted as

individual countries and

seldom agreed.

Example:

- Connecticut and Virginia

almost went to war over

land claims!

WHY DID THE ARTICLES OF CONFEDERATION

FAIL?

Daniel Shays led Massachusetts farmers in

a revolt over high taxes and heavy debt in

August 1786.

Shays Rebellion was put down by state

troops in January 1787.

Tried to force the shutdown of the

Supreme Court in Massachusetts

No one’s property could be taken to pay

off debts if the court was closed.

Many citizens agreed with the rebels and

their cause.

State officials freed most of the rebels.