The Articles of Confederation

An alliance of the 13 states into a

new country.

Planning a New Government•Americans rejected

British rule and culture.

•Americans needed new political organizations at both the state and national levels.

•In 1776, the Second Continental Congress appointed a committee to write a plan for a new national government.

•This committee was known as the Confederation Committee.

Planning a New Government

What are the Articles of

Confederation?•The Articles of

Confederation were America’s first formal plan for a central, national government.

•“Articles” – sections of a treaty, a contract, or a constitution (plan of government)

•“Confederation” – an alliance of states or countries for a common purpose

– MacMillan School Dictionary 2, (1990)

Planning a New Government

What did the Articles of

Confederation say?•The relationship between the

states was to be “a firm league of friendship.”

•Each state would retain “its sovereignty, freedom, and independence.”

Watch this video clip about the

Articles of Confederation.

Working with a

partner, read the

information sheets and fill in the

Rights and Responsibilities Chart.

•The new United States of America had only one “branch” of government.

•Congress had the sole authority to govern the United States of America.

•Each state could send 2 to 7 delegates

•The Congress had a “president” who managed meetings for a one-year term

•There was NO national court system

Structure of Government

•The new national government was called the “Confederation Congress.”

•Congress had the authority to: 1. conduct foreign affairs (diplomacy) 2. maintain a military force (army +

navy)for the defense of the nation 3. declare war and make peace

Things Congress Could do

•The new national government was called the “Confederation Congress.”

•Congress had the authority to:4. borrow money (from states, private citizens + other countries)

5. issue currency (paper money + coins)

Things Congress Could do

•The new national government was called the “Confederation Congress.”

•Congress had the authority to:6. pass laws (9/13 states must agree)

7. manage western lands and make treaties with Native Americans

8. establish a postal system for communication

Things Congress Could do

•Congress could not:1. stop states from printing their own money

2. regulate interstate and international trade deals

3. impose taxes on the states or the people of the USA

4. draft men into the army or navy

Things Congress Could NOT do

•Congress could not:5. force states to send men into the

army or navy6. create a president or king to control

the whole government7. solve disputes between the states8. force the states to obey the laws…

Things Congress Could NOT do

•Each state could send a delegation to the new Congress but had only one vote.

• Each state had the authority to: 1. conduct trade w/states + countries 2. maintain a state militia 3. place taxes on people of that state

4. enforce/ignore laws of the Congress 5. anything not prohibited by Congress

Things States Could do

•The Continental Congress agreed to the Articles in November 1777 and became the “Confederation Congress.”

•Each state had to vote individually to adopt the Articles.

•Articles were adopted in March 1781.

•Articles stayed in effect about 9 years.

Adopting The Articles

One Obvious Problem…•The “United States”

was fighting a war with Great Britain.

•Congress could not draft men into the military.

•Congress could not tax the people or states to raise money.

One Unforeseen Problem…

•States began to claim land west of the Appalachian Mtns.

•Some states claimed the same land… mini-mercantilism

•Created tension between some states.

Articles Need an Overhaul• Within a few years it was obvious that the Articles

had serious problems: 1. Congress had (very) limited power 2. every national law needed 9 votes to pass

(75%) 3. every change to the Articles needed 13

votes to pass (100%) 4. Congress had no money and was in debt

($75 million)

•Despite its weaknesses, the Congress and the Articles did accomplish three things:

1. They contributed to the military victory over the British, securing Independence for the United States of America.

Achievements of the Articles

2. They organized a system to develop new states in the

land west of the Appalachian

Mountains.

Achievements of the Articles

3. They established rules for an official USA flag.

Achievements of the Articles

The Articles of Confederation

An alliance of the 13 states into a

new country.