The Articles of Confederation

Continued

DO NOW:Make a Frayer Diagram to explain the word

“Government”

Government

Write a definition for “government” in your own words (you’re not going to find it in the book)

In your opinion, what powers should a government have?

List as many different types of governments as you can think of

Purpose - Why do we need a government?

We Won. Now What?We Won. Now What?

Countries Countries older than older than America America in yearsin years(1783) (1783)

0

500

1000

1500

2000

2500

3000

Britain

Franc

eSpa

inIta

ly

Amer

ica

Series1

Think of an infant…Think of an infant…

Can an infant walk?Can an infant walk? Can in infant talk?Can in infant talk? No!!No!! Baby America was Baby America was

much like this. Weak, much like this. Weak, fragile, unsure and a fragile, unsure and a little awkward.little awkward.

Should we have a king? Should there be a supreme law of the land? What about individual rights? What about taxes? Who gets to vote? Should we trade with other countries? Are we going to have an army?

Many questions to answer…

No More Kings!!!No More Kings!!!

After the Declaration of After the Declaration of Independence, the Independence, the Americans did not want a Americans did not want a kingking

They were fearful of They were fearful of power being in one placepower being in one place

Felt it was better for each Felt it was better for each of the states to have their of the states to have their own power.own power.

Articles of Confederation:On the back of the Frayer you already made,

complete this as we go over the info.

Articles of Confederation

What was it:

Problems:Could Not:

Could:

The 1The 1stst American Government American Government It is the first Constitution It is the first Constitution Congress creates the Congress creates the

Articles of Articles of Confederation – Confederation – all 13 all 13 states had to ratify it for states had to ratify it for it to go into effectit to go into effect

This is created in 1777 This is created in 1777 as a way to join the as a way to join the colonies during the warcolonies during the war

So What Exactly Was the Articles of So What Exactly Was the Articles of Confederation?Confederation?

A “league of friendship” among 13 statesA “league of friendship” among 13 states.. Each state had their own money.Each state had their own money. Each state had their own laws.Each state had their own laws. Central government was given little power.Central government was given little power. Congress had hard time raising and keeping a Congress had hard time raising and keeping a

national army.national army.

Video

The Thirteen Colonies: From the Articles of Confederation to a Centralized Government

What could the Articles do?

Allowed for our country to develop as a republic

Development of new states Expanded foreign trade

Finally Finally Colonist Can Settle Past the Colonist Can Settle Past the Appalachian MountainsAppalachian Mountains..

Congress passes the Land Congress passes the Land Ordinance of 1785 and the Ordinance of 1785 and the Northwest Ordinance of Northwest Ordinance of 17871787

It establishes laws on how It establishes laws on how the Northwest Territories the Northwest Territories are to becomes statesare to becomes states

Eventually the Northwest Eventually the Northwest Territory will create the Territory will create the states of Wisconsin, states of Wisconsin, Michigan, Illinois, Indiana Michigan, Illinois, Indiana and Ohioand Ohio

Some thing the Articles could not Some thing the Articles could not do…do…

It was too weak.It was too weak. Appoint a President.Appoint a President. Collect taxes.Collect taxes. Print national moneyPrint national money Regulate trade.Regulate trade. Establish a national Establish a national

court system. court system.

XX

XX

Uh Oh… BIG Problems!!Uh Oh… BIG Problems!! States begin to argue with other States begin to argue with other

statesstates Congress could not tax and pay Congress could not tax and pay

off war debtoff war debt The country entered a depressionThe country entered a depression State money was confusing to State money was confusing to

exchange in other statesexchange in other states Foreign nations did not respect Foreign nations did not respect

AmericaAmerica

Problems with Great Britain… British troops still occupied Great Lakes

region British were blocking American trade to West

Indies Britain would not discuss issues because

America had not returned land to loyalists

Problems with Spain…

Spain closed lower Mississippi River to American shipping.

Video

Taking Issue with the Articles of Confederation

Review: Recreate the diagram below and complete

Under the Articles of Confederation, what powers did the state governments have? (use p. 196 if you need to)

How did the Founding Fathers deal with the problem of the Articles of Confederation?

Veto amendments to the Articles

of Confederation

Regulate foreign and interstate

trade

Control state militia

Grant or refuse to give

revenues to the national government

How will the founders deal with the problems of the Articles of Confederation?

Partner Review:

Domestic Problems: Foreign Problems: