Chapter 2, section 4

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Chapter 2, section 4

• The Nations First Governments

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Warm-up

• What powers were given to the government under
  the Articles of Confederation?
• Which important powers are missing?
• Answer
• Congress lacked the power to make the states obey
  its laws

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Objectives

• 1.) Explain the basic provisions of early state
  constitutions.
• 2.) Identify the major weaknesses of the
  confederation formed under the articles of
  Confederation.
• 3.) Discuss the significance of Shays Rebellion.

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Vocabulary

• 1.) interpret to decide the meaning of
• 2.) confederation a group of individuals or
  states that band together for a common purpose
• 3.) ratify to vote approval of
• 4.) amend to change

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1.) Independencenow what?

• A.) The 13 colonies became 13 separate states
  with their own governments and laws.
• B.) States didnt want a strong central
  governmentthey had that with England.

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2.) Early State Constitutions

• A.) Each state created its own written
  constitution.
• B.) Each state had a legislature and a governor.
  The legislature would create and pass laws while
  the governor would carry out or execute the laws.
• C.) Each state also had its own courts in order
  to interpret the laws.
• D.) Most states included a Bill of Rights

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2.) Early State Constitutions

• States learned to govern themselves early onthis
  required them to write constitutions which was
  the framework within which they would govern.
  Think of a constitution as an outline for
  government.

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3.) Confederation

• A.) States could not do everything alone such as
  raise and maintain a large army to protect the
  colonies. Some central control was necessary.
• B.) As a result, in 1777, Congress created the
  Articles of Confederation.

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4.) The Articles of Confederation

• A.) The articles did not create a single country
  but established a system for cooperation among
  independent.
• B.) One-house legislature with one vote per
  state. The central or federal government had the
  following powers
• 1. POWER TO CONTROL THE ARMY
• 2. POWER TO DEAL WITH FOREIGN COUNTRIES.
• C.) Congress did not have the power to tax or
  enforce laws.

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5.) Weaknesses of the Articles

• A.) By 1781, all states had ratified or approved
  the Articles of Confederation.
• B.) The Articles proved too weak and prevented
  Congress from accomplishing very much.

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5.) Weaknesses of the Articles

• C.) Weaknesses
• 1. strict voting to pass a bill, all 13 states
  had to agree unanimously
• 2. Congress could not enforce laws
• 3. Congress was unable to collect taxes which
  created a national debt
• 4. debt led to heavy taxes on goods from other
  states and countries which led to less trade

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6.) Shays Rebellion

• Shays and his men block the Springfield
  courthouse, 1786From "A Little Rebellion Now and
  Then"

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6.) Shays Rebellion

• A.) In 1786, a Massachusetts farmer led a revolt
  to protest unfair state taxes.
• B.) Heavy state taxes impoverished many farmers
  and businesses which led to general public
  unrest.
• C.) 1,200 farmers participated in Shays
  Rebellion. The Governor had to call out the state
  militia to stop the rebellion.
• D.) Many feared that more violence would follow.
• E.) In 1787, the Constitutional Convention met to
  change or amend the Articles.

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Section 4 Review/ Assessment

• 1. What were the basic provisions of early state
  constitutions?
• Answer Each state constitution set up a govt.
  similar to the colonial govt. that had come
  before it each had a legislature, governor, and
  system of courts.

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Section 4 Review/ Assessment

• 2.) What were the major weaknesses of the
  Confederation formed under the Articles?
• Answer Congress could not pass a law without
  approval of 9 states, amending the Articles
  required a unanimous vote, and Congress could not
  collect taxes or enforce laws.

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Section 4 Review/ Assessment

• 3.) What was the significance of Shays
  Rebellion?
• Answer It made it clear that the states needed
  to set up a stronger central govt.

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Close

• Do you believe that the government today is a
  strong central government? Explain.