The Articles of Confederation

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The Articles of Confederation

• September 20, 2007

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AIM

• How did the Articles of Confederation fail as our
  first government??

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Momentarily.

• Some things are not great enough to last.

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What was it?

• Articles of Confederation - The first
  constitution of the United States

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Had Power to -

• Make Treaties
• Declare War
• Receive Ambassadors

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Achievements

• Successful conclusion of the American Revolution

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Achievements

• Negotiation of the Treaty of Paris

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Achievements

• Passage of the Land Ordinance of 1785 and the
  Northwest Ordinance of 1787 which -
• Set the pattern by which new states could join
  the nation
• Prohibited slavery in the Northwest Territory

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But it was too weak..
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Executive

• Weakness No President, Limited enforcement of
  laws, No veto power
• Result Unable to enforce laws during disputes?

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Judiciary

• Weakness No judicial branch.
• Result Congress was unable to handle disputes
  between different states??

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Taxes

• Weakness Congress was denied the power to tax
• Results U.S. could not pay loans to France and
  Dutch. Lost respect ???

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Trade

• Weakness - Congress was unable to control and
  regulate trade
• Results - Trade wars erupted between states
  bringing domestic trade to a standstill ????

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Currency

• Weakness - Congress could not coin money
• Results Congress could not raise an army.
  Postwar Depression

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The Breaking Point

• Shays Rebellion -

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Shays Rebellion

• Crushed by debt Daniel Shay led 1,200 followers
  to take over an arsenal in Springfield.
• Congress had no power to do anything about it. A
  new stronger government was necessary.

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The End