The Articles of Confederation

What are the main parts of the articles of Confederation?Why did the articles fail?

America was now and independent nation having won the Revolutionary War, but now what? What would the country and the government look like?

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

The fear of having too much power in one person’s hands reflects the experiences the colonies had under a monarchy

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

Weaknesses of the Articles of Confederation Congress had no power to raise taxes Congress had no power regulate foreign or

state trade Laws had to be approved by 9 out of 13

states Congress did not have the power to

enforce laws

Strengths of the Articles of Confederation

The Treaty of Paris 1783 was signed The Northwest Ordinance was passed Had the power to declare war and peace,

print money, make treaties and settle state disputes

Strengths of the Articles of Confederation: 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 territories 5,000 free males who own 50 acres can start govt Population of 60,000 could become a state

Settling Western lands

The Northwest Ordinance provides an orderly settlement process in the West

It promised no slavery education 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.

You are going to be looking at a picture in a few seconds? See if you can figure out what is going on in the picture. Look at the picture closely.

Describe the people, objects, where the event is happening, and what is happening. (Who, what, where, and objects)

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

Shay’s Rebellion Daniel Shay led a rebellion of poor farmers

Early in 1787, the Governor sent 4,400 men against the rebels and the rebels were defeated.

Shays and the other rebels were pardoned. (An official act of forgiveness)

Shays’s Rebellion

The Mass militia is called out to stop it 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 stonger central government

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”

Views about Shays’s Rebellion Adams will also write a law called the Riot

Act, which prohibits 12 people or more from meeting and gives the government the power to shoot rioters!

Samuel sure has changed since 1776!

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."

Shays’ Rebellion Shays’ Rebellion showed the leaders of America

that the Articles of Confederation were too weak, and a stronger national government was needed.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3ImIEcsTEVo