The Articles of Confederation

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The Articles of Confederation
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The Articles of Confederation

• The Articles were written in 1777 by John
  Dickinson, a Penn. statesman
• The Articles were accepted by Congress in 1781
  and is considered the first national constitution

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The Articles of Confederation

• The fear of having too much power in one persons
  hands reflects the experiences the colonies had
  under a monarchy
• In the Articles the state governments limit the
  power of the national Congress

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Weaknesses of the Articles of Confederation

• Congress had no power to raise taxes
• Congress had no power regulate foreign or state
  trade
• Laws had to be approved by 9 out of 13 states
• Congress did not have the power to enforce laws

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Accomplishments during the Articles of
Confederation

• The Treaty of Paris 1783 was signed
• The Northwest Ordinance was passed

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Strengths of the Articles of Confederation
Settling Western Lands

• The Land Ordinance of 1785, stated that land in
  the west was to be surveyed using a grid system
  to establish 6 mile blocks
• The Northwest Ordinance assisted in the orderly
  expansion of the United States, it outlined a
  plan for applying for statehood to western
  territories
• 5,000 free males who own 50 acres can start govt
• Population of 60,000 could become a state

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Settling Western lands

• The Northwest Ordinance provides an orderly
  settlement process in the West
• It promised
• no slavery
• education
• freedom of religion
• trial by jury

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Northwest Territory

• The Northwest Territory was east of the
  Mississippi River and north of the Ohio River.
  The states of Ohio, Indiana, Illinois, Michigan,
  and Wisconsin would be formed from this area.

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Reasons for Shays Rebellion

• Farmers are required to pay debts in gold, they
  have no money because they were not paid during
  the war
• Wealthy lawmakers invested their money in the war
  too. And seek to get money from the farmers debts
  

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Shayss Rebellion

• Poor farmers are not represented in the Mass
  legislature and cannot pass debt relief laws
• The rebellion will free debtors from prisons and
  close courts that are hearing cases against
  farmers

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Shayss Rebellion

• The Mass militia is called out to stop it
• Poor farmers in 1791 elect officials who support
  their stance and will close courthouses and
  demand financial help from the Congress
• Shayss Rebellion will prompt national leaders to
  create a stonger central government

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Samuel Adams Said What?!

• Rebellion against a king may be pardoned, or
  lightly punished, but the man who dares to rebel
  against the laws of a republic ought to suffer
  death

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Views about Shayss Rebellion

• Adams will also write a law called the Riot Act,
  which prohibits 12 people or more from meeting
  and gives the government the power to shoot
  rioters!
• Samuel sure has changed since 1776!

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Thomas Jefferson Said What?!

• "A little rebellion now and then is a good thing.
  It is a medicine necessary for the sound health
  of government. God forbid that we should ever be
  twenty years without such a rebellion."

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And George Washington Said

• Man left to themselves are unfit for their own
  government.

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Shays Rebellion leads to a Call for Change

• Some leaders were ok with strong states and a
  weaker federal government provided by the
  Articles of Confederation.
• But many like James Madison and Alexander
  Hamilton demanded reform of the articles of
  Confederation. They called for a meeting in
  Philadelphia to discuss possible changes that
  needed to be made.
• George Washington agreed to go and this gave the
  meeting significance.

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