Aim #16: What were the weaknesses and successes of the Articles of Confederation?

DO NOW: Have out Shays’ Rebellion HW

I. I. Significance of the Peace Treaty of Significance of the Peace Treaty of Paris 1783 was that:Paris 1783 was that:

a. a. The American Revolutionary War was formally ended and the British acknowledged the independence of the United States

b. American gained all land east of the Mississippi; Spain regained Florida; England kept Canada

c. England agreed to remove its army and colonists agreed to pay back debts (neither happened quickly)

MAP NORTH AMERICA 1783

(II) Background to Articles (II) Background to Articles

a.a. Growth of nationalism after warGrowth of nationalism after war

b. Common sacrifices, experiences b. Common sacrifices, experiences and battles help to solidify and battles help to solidify AmericaAmerica

c. Most colonists see themselves as c. Most colonists see themselves as citizens of their states, not as citizens of their states, not as Americans.Americans.

d. Need for first written Constitution d. Need for first written Constitution to govern new countryto govern new country

III. III. Flaws in the Structure of Articles Flaws in the Structure of Articles a.a. One branch of government (only legislative); called One branch of government (only legislative); called

unicameral (one house); no executiveunicameral (one house); no executive

b. National government lacked power to tax (had to ask b. National government lacked power to tax (had to ask states for money)states for money)

c. National government lacked the power to regulate both c. National government lacked the power to regulate both interstate trade and international tradeinterstate trade and international trade

d. 9 of 13 states had to agree in order for law to be d. 9 of 13 states had to agree in order for law to be passedpassed

e. 13 out of 13 (unanimous) states had to agree in order e. 13 out of 13 (unanimous) states had to agree in order to amend the Articlesto amend the Articles

f. Each state had their own currencyf. Each state had their own currency

g. No national armyg. No national army

f. Each state had one vote in Congress, regardless of f. Each state had one vote in Congress, regardless of size of its population size of its population

So…although Rhode Island has much smaller population than So…although Rhode Island has much smaller population than Virginia, each state had equal voteVirginia, each state had equal vote

Discussion questions1.Why do you think the only powers specifically granted to the national government were declaring war, conducting foreign affairs and making treaties?

2. What do you think was the most significant flaw in the Articles? Why?

3. Why do you think the Articles were crafted in a way to give states all the power?

IV. IV. StrengthsStrengths

a.a. Land Ordinance of 1785: sold land westLand Ordinance of 1785: sold land west

Northwest Ordinance of Northwest Ordinance of 17871787

b. Northwest Ordinance of 1787

Statehood achieved in three stages:

1. Congress appointed 3 judges & a governor to govern the territory.

2. When population reached 5,000 adult male landowners elect territorial legislature.

3. When population reached 60,000 elect delegates to a state constitutional convention.

The United States in The United States in 17871787

V. Economic ChallengesV. Economic Challenges

a.a. Each state could coin their own $Each state could coin their own $

(different values to $)(different values to $)

b. Each state could imposed tariffs on b. Each state could imposed tariffs on other states (discourages trade)other states (discourages trade)

c. Congress had no power to taxc. Congress had no power to tax

VI. Foreign ChallengesVI. Foreign Challengesa.a. Britain encouraged Native Americans to Britain encouraged Native Americans to

attack colonists (Gave them weapons)attack colonists (Gave them weapons)

b. Impressment of American sailors into b. Impressment of American sailors into British navy (kidnapping) British navy (kidnapping) – will be one – will be one cause of War of 1812cause of War of 1812

c. British did not leave their posts (troops c. British did not leave their posts (troops remained in U.S.)remained in U.S.)

d. Barbary pirates from Africa disrupted d. Barbary pirates from Africa disrupted tradetrade

e. France: close off trade in W. Indies e. France: close off trade in W. Indies (wants to be repaid from Rev. War)(wants to be repaid from Rev. War)

VII. Shays’ Rebellion: VII. Shays’ Rebellion: 1786-71786-7

Shays’ Rebellion: 1786-Shays’ Rebellion: 1786-77

There could be no stronger evidence of the want of energy in our governments than these disorders.

-- George Washington-- George Washington

(VIII) Annapolis Convention (VIII) Annapolis Convention (1786)(1786)

a. 12 representatives from 5 states[NY, NJ, PA, DE, VA]

b. GOAL address barriers that limited trade and commerce between the states.

c. Not enough states were represented to make any real progress.

d. Sent a report to the Congress to call a meeting of all the states to meet in Philadelphia to examine areas broader than just trade and commerce.

e. Led to Constitutional Convention in Philadelphia 1787 to amend Articles