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ARTICLES OF CONFEDERATIONAmerica’s First Government
THIRTEEN COUNTRIES
Each colony became a state
Each state was really a independent country.
People were loyal to their state, not one big country.
STATE GOVERNMENT
Each state had its own government. More important than Congress
Each state dealt with foreign countries on their own.
Each state made its own money
STATES WORK TOGETHER
Each state sends representatives to Congress.
Congress helps plan and direct the War
However, Congress has no power over any state.
ARTICLES OF CONFEDERATION
An agreement by the states to work together.
Formed a very weak central government. No judiciary (national court system) No executive branch (think King) One legislature, with little power.
NH MA RI CT NY PA NJ MDDE SC GANCVA
Citizens of Each State
Elects State Gov’t
CongressEach State = 1 Vote
No Executive No Judicial System
WHY A WEAK GOVERNMENT?
Parliament and the King were strong!
The colonies had rid themselves of such a government. An executive reminded them of a King, so
no deal.
PROBLEMS WITH THE ARTICLES Congress could not tax the colonies.
Each state levied its own taxes.
Congress could not fix trade problems between states.
Each state had only one vote It did not matter how big or how many
people lived in it.
GOVERNMENT GRIDLOCK
To pass a law, 9 of 13 states must agree Nearly 70%!! Few laws were passed
To amend (change) the Articles of Confederation, all states must agree.
LAND ISSUES
Colonies won lots of new land.
Each state claimed some of that land as theirs.
NORTHWEST ORDINANCE All states agree to give
up claims to land in the west.
System is created to make new states. Three step process to
statehood
New states would be equal to old states.
Only big success under the Articles of Confederation.
CALL FOR CHANGE
Small number of people want change
Reasons:Create a government that can do
something!Fix many of the problems facing the
states.People are too dumb to govern
themselves
Folks call for a convention in Annapolis Maryland to discuss changes.
ANNAPOLIS CONVENTION 1786 Annapolis, Maryland
Only 12 reps from 5 states show.
Delegates plan to meet again in Philadelphia in 1787
Goal is to fix the national government.
SHAY’S REBELLION Colonists in Mass. angry
over high taxes.
Framer named Shays leads an armed rebellion.
Congress cannot raise funds for an army
Mass. finally raises an army and defeats Shay.
Convinces many people the Articles need serious revision.