The Articles of Confederation

1. The Articles of Confederation US History

2. Learning Target • I will analyze problems faced under the Articles of Confederation and identify how they were fixed under the new Constitution.

3. I. New Political Ideas • Republic • American leaders decided that their new government would be a republic • Republic A. A form of government where power resides with a body of citizens entitled to vote.

4. I. New Political Ideas • New State Constitutions • Several states created individual constitutions creating government • Many attached a Bill of Rights to their constitutions. A. Virginia Declaration of Rights – individual rights of citizens

5. II. Articles of Confederation • Achievements • Patriot leaders realized that a national government was necessary to hold together state governments was needed. • In November of 1777, the Continental Congress adopted the Articles of Confederation

6. II. Articles of Confederation • Achievements • Confederation Congress • Each state would select delegation to the Confederation Congress • A single house legislature

7. II. Articles of Confederation • Achievements • Western Policies • Land Ordinance of 1785 - a scheme of dividing land into sections in order to sell at auction. • Northwest Ordinance 1787 – provided a basis for governing western lands and organizing them into states.

8. II. Articles of Confederation • Weaknesses • Could not regulate trade A. This led to high taxes from individual states • Could not impose national taxes • Could not help those who were struggling economically. • Couldn’t develop a national currency • Problems with diplomacy A. Struggled to enforce policies created by Treaty of Paris

9. II. Articles of Confederation • Shay’s Rebellion • Massachusetts raised taxes and poor farmers • Led by Daniel Shay’s a group of farmers attacked a federal arsenal. • Led people to push for a stronger central government.