Articles of Confederation

November 5, 2012

January 1776• New Hampshire 1st colony to

organize as a STATE– Create state Constitution

• Constitution: detailed, written planEach state gov’t similar 1. Legislature: create laws• Bicameral: 2 houses2. 1 Governor for each state• Carry out the laws3. Judges/ courts• Decide if laws fair/ what laws mean

Each state had:

1. Trial by jury

2. Protection of Personal Property

But…One thing can’t do:• Create a LARGE army• 13 small armies would be no match for the

British

May 1776: 2nd Continental Congress• Goal: create a UNION of states• Create the Articles of Confederation

– 1st Constitution of the U.S.• Confederation: group of individual state

gov’ts that BOND together (cooperate)

Pass the Articles of Confederation

November 6, 2012

1781: All 13 states ratify• Ratify: APPROVEArticles of Confederation• 1 house Legislature

– Each state gets 1 vote

Only Government can deal with:1. Army2. Deal with foreign countriesBut…Government cannot:1. Enforce laws2. Tax (can only ask, no demand)• Government cannot ask states to

do anything

Weakness of Articles of Confederation1. No pass law without 9 of 13 states2. To Amend (change) articles

• Need all 13 states3. No enforce laws4. No single leader5. No court system6. No tax• U.S. wins Revolutionary War

against England– Treaty of Paris ends war

• Major Problem: DEBT HIGH• Government cannot TAX

• States increase taxes– Tax goods from other states– Farmers can’t pay for property– Leads to Resentment

• 1786-1787: riots break out• Fear gov’t no protect safety

Daniel Shays (Shays’ Rebellion)• Farmer from Massachusetts• State threaten to take farm• Gather 1,200 farmers & riot• Wake-up Call: NEED stronger gov’t• 1787: 12 states send delegates to

Philadelphia to REVISE Articles

American Revolution• Few people live west of

Appalachian Mountains• By 1790s: 120,000 people• Government works to survey

(measure) land & sell• Creates 6 square mile townships• Each township broken up to 36

sections of 1 square mile each• PROBLEM: How to govern area• Northwest Ordinance created to

govern– No Slavery

• 1787: Constitutional Convention• Rhode Island only state that didn’t

send delegates– Don’t want strong national gov’t

• May 25, 1787: Meet in Independence Hall, Philadelphia– Bad weather

Delegates• 55 men• Well educated• Lawyers, doctors, merchants, college

presidents, generals, governors • 8 signed Declaration of

Independence• 7 were governors• 41 member of Continental Congress

• NO– African Americans– Native Americans – Women

• Ben Franklin oldest (81)• Famous writer, inventor,

scientist• George Washington &

James Madison become U.S. Presidents

• Thomas Jefferson & John Adams in EUROPE

• Patrick Henry against/ no go

• Chose George Washington to preside over Constitutional Convention– Leadership during American

Revolution

1. Each state get 1 vote– No matter how many delegates

2. Majority decides (7 votes)

3. Held in SECRET– No one knows; no records

• James Madison notebook only source of information

• GOAL: REVISE Articles• But…end up writing NEW

CONSTITUTION