Articles of ConfederationArticles of Confederation

We Won! Now What?We Won! Now What?

The Americans have won the war now The Americans have won the war now what do we need to do? What decisions what do we need to do? What decisions need to be made?need to be made?

Type of Government?Type of Government? Governmental Power: Central Government Governmental Power: Central Government

or State Governments?or State Governments? National Army?National Army? Citizens? Loyalists?Citizens? Loyalists?

State ConstitutionsState Constitutions

PennsylvaniaPennsylvania• 1 Legislative House; no governor1 Legislative House; no governor• Vote: All (white) men over 21Vote: All (white) men over 21• Redistribution of property?! No!Redistribution of property?! No!

MassachusettsMassachusetts• 2 Houses (1 Elected, 1 Apportioned by Wealth)2 Houses (1 Elected, 1 Apportioned by Wealth)• GovernorGovernor• Vote: Based on Property OwnershipVote: Based on Property Ownership

The Articles of ConfederationThe Articles of Confederation

Congress can:Congress can: Regulate foreign affairsRegulate foreign affairs Declare WarDeclare War Manage Indian relationsManage Indian relations

Congress can’t:Congress can’t: Raise troopsRaise troops *Tax*Tax

The Articles of ConfederationThe Articles of Confederation

FinancesFinances Robert Morris limited (no revenue)Robert Morris limited (no revenue) Currency DepreciationCurrency Depreciation DebtDebt Newburgh Conspiracy (1783)Newburgh Conspiracy (1783)

Land PolicyLand Policy Land Ordinance of 1785 (640 acre sections)Land Ordinance of 1785 (640 acre sections) Northwest Ordinance 1787Northwest Ordinance 1787

• Statehood at 60,000Statehood at 60,000• Bill of RightsBill of Rights• Excludes SlaveryExcludes Slavery

The Articles of ConfederationThe Articles of Confederation

Indian RelationsIndian Relations Treaty of Ft. Stanwix (1784) - Iroquois landTreaty of Ft. Stanwix (1784) - Iroquois land Treaty of Hopewell (1785) - CherokeeTreaty of Hopewell (1785) - Cherokee

DiplomacyDiplomacy Brits still hanging around…Brits still hanging around… Spain cuts off MississippiSpain cuts off Mississippi

Trade/Economy: Chaos!Trade/Economy: Chaos! Exports downExports down InflationInflation Farmers in trouble… (debt)Farmers in trouble… (debt)

The Articles of ConfederationThe Articles of Confederation

Weaknesses of the ArticlesWeaknesses of the Articles Gov’t couldn’t create taxesGov’t couldn’t create taxes Gov’t couldn’t regulate tradeGov’t couldn’t regulate trade Each State had only 1 vote in CongressEach State had only 1 vote in Congress 2/3rds Majority was needed to pass laws2/3rds Majority was needed to pass laws Amendments on laws need full approvalAmendments on laws need full approval No executive branch to enforce the lawsNo executive branch to enforce the laws No judicial branch to settle disputesNo judicial branch to settle disputes 13 separate states that lacked national unity13 separate states that lacked national unity