The Articles of Confederation

Overview• As early as May 1776, Congress advised each

colony to draw up plans for state govs.• June 1776, Congress began to work on a plan

for a central gov. • Composed by a body that directed most of its

attention to winning Independence, feared central gov., loyalty first to states

• Completed in Nov. 1777• Effective March 1, 1781 once states ratified

State Governments

• Although unified to fight British, each state had its own beliefs and wanted separate things

• Created own STATE CONSTITUTIONS

• Similarities among states:– limited power of government leaders– guaranteed specific rights for citizens (freedom of

speech, religion and press.)– emphasized liberty over equality– reflected a fear of centralized authority

National Government

• Need constitution for WHOLE country, not just states

• HUGE debate over the role of Central Government, needed to address 4 major questions:

1. How much Democracy?2. Representation by Population or By State? 3. Supreme Power: Can it Be Divided?4. Western Lands: Who Gets them?

Answer Questions 1 and 2

1) How Much Democracy?

• Feared democracy placed power in the hands of the uneducated masses.

• So, created a Republic– government in which citizens rule

through their elected representatives– Places power in the hands of capable

leaders.

Answer Questions 3

2. Supreme Power: Can it Be Divided?

• Many before now assumed Government could not share power

• Articles of Confederation = Sharing of Power of State and National Governments

• This is called a Confederation, or alliance

Answer Questions 4

2. Central Government’s Powers

• Role: Deal with international issues

• Declare war, make peace, sign treaties

• Borrow money• Establish a postal service• Deal with Native Americans

Answer Questions 5-9

2. State Governments’ Powers

• Role: Domestic issues, everyday life, etc.

• Approve taxes and drafting of troops formally requested by Central Gov.

• Regulate Trade

“Each state retains its sovereignty, freedom, and independence, and every power,

jurisdiction, and right, which is not by this Confederation expressly delegated to the United States, in Congress assembled.”

2. Set up of Central Government

• No executive authority, only Congress.

• 9 of 13 states needed to pass law

• 13 of 13 to pass any amendment to articles

• No National Court System

3. Representation

• Problem: – States were considered equal to one another– but not equal in land size, wealth or population.

• So how do you make up the National Congress?– Should delegates represent people or states?– Should each state elect the same # of

representatives regardless of its population?– Should states with large populations have more

representatives than states with small populations?

Answer Questions 10

3. Representation Solution

• Since the delegates of Congress felt they each represented independent states….

• each state would have one vote regardless of population.

4. What to do with the Western Land?

Answer Questions 11

4. Solution to Western Land

• States with Western Territories gave up their land to the Central Government in March of 1781

• But how do they govern that land?

• Land Ordinance of 1785 – a plan/approach plan to Survey,

divide, and sell land– passed by Congress

• Northwest Ordinance of 1787– Congress provided a procedure

for dividing the land into 3-5 territories

– set the requirements for the admission of new states:

1.Congress appoints Territorial Governor and Judges

2.Over 5,000 residents = appoint own government

3.Over 60,000 = apply for statehood

Answer Questions 12 and 13