Articles of ConfederationArticles of ConfederationU.S. First Attempt at U.S. First Attempt at

GovernmentGovernment

Articles of ConfederationArticles of Confederation► After declaring independence in 1776, After declaring independence in 1776,

the Continental Congress formed a the Continental Congress formed a committee to write a plan of government committee to write a plan of government for the countryfor the country

► The result was our first national The result was our first national constitution, the Articles of Confederationconstitution, the Articles of Confederation

► The Articles of Confederation had a few The Articles of Confederation had a few achievements, but there were serious achievements, but there were serious problems that would need to be problems that would need to be addressed (this would lead to the addressed (this would lead to the Constitutional Convention)Constitutional Convention)

Creation of the Articles of Creation of the Articles of ConfederationConfederation

►Many people feared giving too much Many people feared giving too much power to a central government power to a central government because of their recent experience because of their recent experience under British ruleunder British rule

►People also feared that some states People also feared that some states would be given more power than would be given more power than others in the new governmentothers in the new government

►These two fears caused the Founders These two fears caused the Founders to create a weak central governmentto create a weak central government

Government under the Articles Government under the Articles of Confederationof Confederation

►Each state had 1 vote, no matter how Each state had 1 vote, no matter how large its populationlarge its population

►The legislature (called the The legislature (called the Confederation Congress) had only one Confederation Congress) had only one househouse

►There was no executive branch to There was no executive branch to carry out the laws passed by Congresscarry out the laws passed by Congress

►The country was run by congressional The country was run by congressional committees, causing much confusioncommittees, causing much confusion

Government under the Articles Government under the Articles of Confederationof Confederation

►The states were afraid that Congress The states were afraid that Congress might be able to control them – so they might be able to control them – so they made sure that Congress was weak and made sure that Congress was weak and its powers limitedits powers limited

►The states kept most of the power and The states kept most of the power and every action by Congress needed the every action by Congress needed the consent and approval of the statesconsent and approval of the states

►9 of the 13 states had to approve any 9 of the 13 states had to approve any decision made before it became lawdecision made before it became law

►All 13 states had to agree to any change All 13 states had to agree to any change made in the Articles of Confederationmade in the Articles of Confederation

Achievements of the Articles of Achievements of the Articles of ConfederationConfederation

►Successfully waged the war for Successfully waged the war for independence against Englandindependence against England

►Negotiated the Treaty of Paris to end Negotiated the Treaty of Paris to end the warthe war

►Provided that each state recognize the Provided that each state recognize the laws of other states and that citizens laws of other states and that citizens could travel freely between statescould travel freely between states

►Passed the Northwest Ordinance of Passed the Northwest Ordinance of 1787 – organizing the lands in the 1787 – organizing the lands in the northwestnorthwest

Problems under the Articles of Problems under the Articles of ConfederationConfederation

►Congress had no money and no power Congress had no money and no power to get it. to get it.

►Congress had no power over the state Congress had no power over the state governments and their citizens. governments and their citizens.

Problems under the Articles of Problems under the Articles of ConfederationConfederation

►Congress could not make the states Congress could not make the states live up to trade agreements made with live up to trade agreements made with foreign nations. This made people in foreign nations. This made people in foreign countries unwilling to trade foreign countries unwilling to trade with the United States.with the United States.

►Congress could not protect American Congress could not protect American citizens from unfair discrimination by citizens from unfair discrimination by the states. Many Americans who had the states. Many Americans who had supported the British had their supported the British had their property taken from them and debts property taken from them and debts owed to them were not paid.owed to them were not paid.

Problems under the Articles of Problems under the Articles of ConfederationConfederation

►People who were being hurt by these People who were being hurt by these actions argued that the state actions argued that the state governments were not protecting their governments were not protecting their property. They believed all states property. They believed all states should use the same money. Many should use the same money. Many people began to think that a stronger people began to think that a stronger national government was needed.national government was needed.

Shay’s Rebellion – the Final Shay’s Rebellion – the Final StrawStraw

►By 1786, America was suffering By 1786, America was suffering financially. Many people were in debt financially. Many people were in debt and soldiers who had fought in the and soldiers who had fought in the Revolution still had not been paid. Revolution still had not been paid. Congress could not control the country Congress could not control the country and people were growing uneasy.and people were growing uneasy.

►Then an event occurred which finally Then an event occurred which finally convinced many Americans that it was convinced many Americans that it was time for a change: Shay’s Rebellion.time for a change: Shay’s Rebellion.

Shay’s Rebellion – the Final Shay’s Rebellion – the Final StrawStraw

►Farmers in America were suffering financial Farmers in America were suffering financial hardships and could not pay their debts or hardships and could not pay their debts or state taxes – many had their property state taxes – many had their property taken away or were imprisonedtaken away or were imprisoned

►Farmers began to close down local Farmers began to close down local courthouses to prevent their farms being courthouses to prevent their farms being taken away. In November 1786, farmers in taken away. In November 1786, farmers in Massachusetts gathered under Daniel Massachusetts gathered under Daniel ShaysShays

►Shay’s followers tried to capture a weapons Shay’s followers tried to capture a weapons arsenal to use against the state arsenal to use against the state governmentgovernment

Shay’s Rebellion - Shay’s Rebellion - ConsequencesConsequences

► Although the rebellion failed, it frightened Although the rebellion failed, it frightened property owners throughout Americaproperty owners throughout America

► The national government had not been able to The national government had not been able to put down the rebellion because it had no troops. put down the rebellion because it had no troops. People were concerned about law and order.People were concerned about law and order.

► This rebellion, along with the problems of the This rebellion, along with the problems of the Articles, gave rise to the call for a new Articles, gave rise to the call for a new constitution.constitution.

► Congress invited the states to send delegates to Congress invited the states to send delegates to a convention in Philadelphia “for the sole a convention in Philadelphia “for the sole purpose of revising the Articles of purpose of revising the Articles of Confederation”.Confederation”.