The Articles of Confederation

1. Created by Mr. Steve Hauprich for acceleration and remediation of US History students The Articles of Confederation The transitional Constitution of the 13 United States of America

2. The 2nd Continental Congressdeclared US independence in 1776

3. 13 Independent States werewriting their own Constitutionswith legislatures, governors,and independent court systems.

4. In 1777 The Continental Congressdrafted a national constitutionwithout a court system oran executive branch…The Articles of Confederation

6. Article by Article # I – XIII …it would provide a weak central government…loose union of states…alliance of states…league of states…CONFEDERATION Article 2 . Each State retains its sovereignty, freedom and independence, and every power, jurisdiction and right …

7. Preamble Article I - Style Article II - States Rights Article III - Mutual defense Article IV - Laws of other states to be abided; extradition Article V - The Legislature Article VI - Rights denied the States Article VII - Appointment of military officers Article VIII - United States to pay for defense; taxes Article IX - Rights granted the Federal Government Article X - Committee of States Article XI - Canada may join the United States Article XII - Assumption of debt Article XIII - Articles are Supreme Law, amendment

9. The Articles of Confederationwould help the 13 Statescooperate to winIndependence…but were not intended to imposenational laws upon independent states

10. This was a “revolutionary” documentwhich reflected a distrustfor strong central government…independence of states and citizenswould best be served byless government……more liberty!

11. In 1781 The Articles of Confederationwere finally ratified by the13 United States of America.

12. Although the Articles of Confederationwere limited in their power overStates and Citizens…significant accomplishmentsdeserve acknowledgement • securing alliances with France, Holland, Spain, and Russia • 1783 Treaty of Paris…territories to the Mississippi River • Land Ordinance of 1785 and 1787 Northwest Ordinance

13. Historians assert that the USA neededthe alliance with France(the French Navy and Army)to achieve the victory at Yorktown in 1781.

14. The 1783 Treaty of Parisgave the fledgling USAimmense territorial possessions

15. The 13 states had competing territorial claims to these lands in the west… …a national solution was needed

16. The new territories would be carvedinto new states = to the original 13…they would have their own constitutions…they could make their own laws

17. These new states would provideorder and security for Americansto prosper in these newfrontier lands… …north of the Ohio River there would be no slavery in the territories and new states

18. Each territory and new state would provide fortowns, school districts, road construction,and militias for their defense.

19. The 1780’s were critical years inthe early history of the USA

20. A new NATION was established onthe principles of liberty

21. January 16, 1786 the State of Virginiadeclares it will stay out ofreligious mattersentirely

22. The 13 United States had established a frameworkfor orderly growth and expansion…a REPUBLIC without a monarch

23. ___1. The Articles of Confederation created a 1 republic with a chief executive2 strong central government3 government with legislative and judicial branches4 league of free and independent states

24. ___2. Which governmental problem occurred under the Articles of Confederation? 1 Congress constantly overrode the President's vetoes.2 The Supreme Court issued a series of unenforceable decisions.3 The states frequently did not cooperate with each other.4 The President often ignored the advice of his Cabinet. ___3. Which statement best describes governmental power under the Articlesof Confederation? (1) Power was shared equally by the central government and thestates.(2) A balance of power existed between the three branches of thecentral government.(3) A strong chief executive headed a unified central government.(4) The states had much greater power than the central government.

25. ___4. The lack of a national executive and judiciary under the Articles of Confederation suggests that the founders of the American republic (1) risked tyranny for the sake of effective national government(2) copied the British constitution(3) prized national unity above the sovereignty of the states(4) feared a strong central government ____5. The United States Constitution would later correct a weakness of the Articles of Confederation by (1) creating three branches of government(2) giving greater power to state governments(3) providing a clear definition of states’ rights(4) granting the right to vote to all white males

26. ___6. The Northwest Ordinance of 1787 was important because it (1) ensured universal suffrage for all males(2) extended slavery north of the Ohio River(3) provided a process for admission of new states to the Union(4) established reservations for Native American Indians ___7. What was an important accomplishment of the central government under the  Articles of Confederation? (1) elimination of debts from the Revolutionary War(2) removal of all British troops from North America(3) formation of a national policy relating to Native American Indians(4) development of guidelines for the admission of new states into the Union

27. ___8. A republican form of government is described as one in which (1) there is a two-party system(2) representatives are elected by the people(3) elected officials have limited terms(4) government power is limited by checks and balances