The Articles of Confederation

The transitional Constitution of the

13 United States of America

Created by Mr. Steve Hauprich for acceleration and remediation of US History students

The 2nd Continental Congressdeclared US independence

in 1776

13 Independent States werewriting their own Constitutionswith legislatures, governors,

and independent court systems.

In 1777 The Continental Congressdrafted a national constitution

without a court system oran executive branch…

The Articles of Confederation

Article by Article # I – XIII …it would provide a

weak central government…loose union of states…

alliance of states… league of states…CONFEDERATION

Article 2 . Each State retains its sovereignty, freedom and independence, and every power, jurisdiction and right …

Preamble Article I - Style

Article II - States Rights Article III - Mutual defense

Article IV - Laws of other states to be abided; extradition Article V - The Legislature

Article VI - Rights denied the States Article VII - Appointment of military officers

Article VIII - United States to pay for defense; taxes Article IX - Rights granted the Federal Government

Article X - Committee of States Article XI - Canada may join the United States

Article XII - Assumption of debt Article XIII - Articles are Supreme Law, amendment

The Articles of Confederationwould help the 13 States

cooperate to winIndependence…

but were not intended to imposenational laws upon independent states

This was a “revolutionary” documentwhich reflected a distrust

for strong central government…

independence of states and citizenswould best be served by

less government……more liberty!

In 1781 The Articles of Confederationwere finally ratified by the

13 United States of America.

Although the Articles of Confederationwere limited in their power over

States and Citizens…significant accomplishments

deserve acknowledgement

•securing alliances with France, Holland, Spain, and Russia•1783 Treaty of Paris…territories to the Mississippi River•Land Ordinance of 1785 and 1787 Northwest Ordinance

Historians assert that the USA neededthe alliance with France(the French Navy and Army)to achieve the victory at Yorktown in 1781.

The 1783 Treaty of Parisgave the fledgling USA

immense territorial possessions

The 13 states hadcompeting territorialclaims to these lands in the west…

…a national solution was needed

The new territories would be carvedinto new states = to the original 13

…they would have their own constitutions…they could make their own laws

These new states would provideorder and security for Americans

to prosper in these newfrontier lands…

…north of the Ohio Riverthere would be no slaveryin the territories and new states

Each territory and new state would provide fortowns, school districts, road construction,

and militias for their defense.

The 1780’s were critical years inthe early history of the USA

A new NATION was established onthe principles of liberty

January 16, 1786 the State of Virginia

declares it will stay out of religious matters

entirely

The 13 United States had established a framework

for orderly growth and expansion…

a REPUBLIC without a monarch

___1. The Articles of Confederation created a

1 republic with a chief executive2 strong central government

3 government with legislative and judicial branches

4 league of free and independent states

___2. Which governmental problem occurred under the Articles of Confederation?

1 Congress constantly overrode the President's vetoes.2 The Supreme Court issued a series of unenforceable decisions.

3 The states frequently did not cooperate with each other.4 The President often ignored the advice of his Cabinet.

___3. Which statement best describes governmental power under the Articlesof Confederation?

(1) Power was shared equally by the central government and thestates.

(2) A balance of power existed between the three branches of thecentral government.

(3) A strong chief executive headed a unified central government.(4) The states had much greater power than the central government.

____5. The United States Constitution would later correct a weakness of the Articles of Confederation by

(1) creating three branches of government(2) giving greater power to state governments(3) providing a clear definition of states’ rights(4) granting the right to vote to all white males

___4. The lack of a national executive and judiciary under the Articles of Confederation suggests that the founders of the American republic

(1) risked tyranny for the sake of effective national government(2) copied the British constitution

(3) prized national unity above the sovereignty of the states(4) feared a strong central government

___6. The Northwest Ordinance of 1787 was important because it

(1) ensured universal suffrage for all males(2) extended slavery north of the Ohio River

(3) provided a process for admission of new states to the Union(4) established reservations for Native American Indians

___7. What was an important accomplishment of the central government under the  Articles of Confederation?

(1) elimination of debts from the Revolutionary War(2) removal of all British troops from North America

(3) formation of a national policy relating to Native American Indians(4) development of guidelines for the admission of new states into the Union

___8. A republican form of government is described as one in which

(1) there is a two-party system

(2) representatives are elected by the people(3) elected officials have limited terms

(4) government power is limited by checks and balances