The Articles of Confederation:

Chapter 5 Section 1

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

The Articles of Confederation

C. fear having too much power in one person’s handsWhy?

In the Articles the state governments limited the power of the national Congress

Weaknesses of the A. of C.:

Congress had no power to raise taxesCongress had no power regulate

foreign or state tradeLaws had to be approved by 9 out of

13 statesCongress did not have the power to

enforce laws

Strengths of the A. of C.:The Treaty of Paris 1783 was signedThe Northwest Ordinance was passedCongress had the power to declare

war and peace, print money, make treaties and settle state disputes

Congress and 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 territories5,000 free males who own 50 acres can start

govtPopulation of 60,000 could become a state

Congress and Settling Western Lands:

The Northwest Ordinance provided an orderly settlement process in the West

It promisedno slaveryeducation freedom of religion trial by jury

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.

Reasons for Shay’s 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

Shays’s 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

Shays’s Rebellion

The Massachusetts militia is called in

Poor farmers in 1791 elect officials who support their stance and will close courthouses and demand financial help from the Congress

Shays’s Rebellion will prompt national leaders to create a stronger central government

VIEWS ABOUT SHAYS’S REBELLION

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”

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."