The Articles of Confederation

The Articles of Confederation • The nation’s first Constitution • A Confederation is a political organization in which the sovereign states combine for certain specified purposes. • US: a Confederation from 1776 - 1788

1776We’ve Declared our Independence, so now what? • Although Independence from British Sovereignty had been declared, the former 13 colonies needed some form of government to wage war • Each new state (13) created its own individual government • States’ sovereignty was considered most important

The Business of Rebellion • June 7, 1776 • Richard Henry Lee introduced resolutions to the Second Continental Congress • 1 was for a declaration of independence; 2nd was the blueprint of a national government

…..and this led to… • Declaration of Independence • Articles of Confederation

Was this easy to create? • NO!! • Fear of creating an all-powerful national government that would trod on the states’ powers • Fear that some states would be more powerful within this national government

Problem #1- Fear of strong national government • Once the Rev. War began, each state was like a separate nation • Each with own constitution • Each with unique government • To the people, each state was their “country”

Founders’ Concerns • Agreed that a national government was needed • Felt that the British government had deprived citizens of their right to be represented in government. • Concerned that if a strong central government were formed, it would be too powerful and far away from the concerns of the people • Control of government by the people

Classical view of government • Enlightenment Philosophy: belief that government is inherently evil and that people should be immediately involved in their own governance • Republican government • Could only succeed in small communities • Successful only at local level between people of shared geographic interests

Founders’ Solution to Problem #1 • Create a weak national government • The national government would be composed of the Confederation Congress (CC) • No executive branch (today, the President) • No judicial branch (court system, today, the Supreme Court)

So who had the power to run the country? • The STATES!! • The State governments had absolute authority over their citizens • Congress had no authority to collect taxes. It could request money from the states, but the states could refuse. • Each state issued its own unique currency • The states regulated all trade between themselves • New York Colonial Currency

Problem #2 – Fear that some states would dominate in the national government • Each state was concerned with its interests • Most concerned with each state’s vote in Congress • Each state = 1 vote, or each state’s vote based on population or wealth • Concern that if majority vote rules, that majority would act at the expense of the minority

Founders’ Solution to Problem #2 • Each state received 1 vote in Congress • Congress could create laws, but 9 of the 13 states had to approve before going into effect

Critical Thinking Group Question • During the years of the Revolutionary War, the Articles of Confederation were more successful than after the war. What factors may have allowed for this?

The Articles of Confederation