The Articles of ConfederationStrengthsand Weaknesses

Adoption of ArticlesArticles of Confederation•Confederacy or “League of Friendship”

among states.

•All states ratified it by March, 1781

•Continued operation of Gov. set forth by the 2nd Continental Congress.

Set-Up of New Gov.• Set up a unicameral

Congress▫Single chamber

• 1 Delegate from each state

• No Federal Courts

• Each state had one vote in Congress

National Gov. under Articles of Confed..Congress and Gov. Could Congress and Gov. Could

NOT• Borrow or request money

from states• Declare war and peace• Maintain an army and navy• Make Treaties• Decide certain disputes

among states• Establish Post Office• Regulate Native American

affairs

• Levy or collect taxes• Require states to provide

money for running the Gov.• Enforce laws• Regulate Trade• Establish Executive Branch• Establish National Courts• Amend Articles of

Confederation without states consent

Achievements under Articles•Development west of Appalachian

Mountains▫Individual States ceded their claims to

National Government▫Northwest Ordinance 1787

Territories developed for statehood were on equal basis with original colonies.

•Treaty with Great Britain▫Acquired land from Atlantic to Mississippi

River

Need for Stronger Gov• Could not pay

Continental Army• Owed 40 mill.• Boundary Issues

between states• Economic Troubles• Shay’s rebellion

▫ uprising in Massachusetts on state arsenal.

▫ Put down by state militia

Sample Short Answers• Why might Congress have a hard time raising

money to run the Government under the Article of the Confederation? Explain your answer?

• Do you think the writers of the Articles of the Confederation wanted a strong or weak national government? Explain your answer using evidence?

• What might have happened if America had kept the Articles of the Confederation as its constitution?

What event, that Knox is speaking of, led to the need for a new government? “This dreadful situation has alarmed every

man of principle and property in New England. People wake as from a dream and ask what has been the cause of our delusion. What will give to security against the violence of lawless men? Our government must be strengthened, changed, or altered to secure our live and our property” -Henry Knox