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Articles of Confederation, and
our First Government…
The Articles: What Were They?
o The Articles of Confederation were America’s first set of laws.
o Favored states over the national government.
o Thirteen independent states that acted like their own countries.
State vs. National Powers
State vs. National Powers o State Powers
o Had more power than the
Federal Gov’t.
o Limited power of governors
o Bicameral, or two house
legislature
o Legislators were popularly elected
o Legislature was most powerful
branch of government
o Established a republic, or government in which citizens
rule through elected representatives.
o Issued their own currency
o National (Central) Powers
o Could:
o Conduct foreign affairs
o Maintain armed forces
o Borrow money
o Issue currency
o Could NOT:
o Regulate Trade
o Force people to join Armies
o Impose Taxes
o Problems?
o Would only work together to
wage war and handle foreign relations
Arguments
Arguments
o Big States and Little
States Argued over:
o Votes for each state.
oLittle states the same
as big?
oRights to Western
Lands
o All states needed to
agree to make the
Articles legal.
Land Issues o Ordinance of 1785
o Established a procedure for
surveying and selling land.
o Broke land into 6X6 townships.
Divided into 36 sections
o Northwest Ordinance
o Created a single Northwest Territory
o When a population reached
60,000 that territory could
apply for statehood
o Wisconsin, Michigan, Illinois,
Ohio, and Indiana
Land Expansion
Big Trouble…
BIG Problems
o Money
o How do you pay for the
Revolutionary War?
o Can’t tax, have to rely on
donations from states
o Import Tax?
o Leads to foreign
problems with Britain and
Spain
o Trade – Can’t do
it….why?
Shay’s Rebellion
o The events that led up to Shays' Rebellion
unfolded over several months, but once the
conflict reached the flash point at the Springfield
Arsenal, it was all over within a few weeks.
Courthouse Closings: Summer 1786
~ Angry mobs begin closing courts across Massachusetts in order to stop lawyers
from prosecuting cases for debt.
Creation of Government Militia Groups
~ Because of the mobs’ rising anger, 2,000 government militia moves west in
January of 1787.
Creation of Regulators Group
~ Regulators also gather and Captain Shay’s regiment marches toward
Springfield.
Battle!
~ January 25, 1787, militia artillery advances, killing 5 and wounding about 20 of
Daniel Shay’s regulators. Shay and his forces retreat.
o Surrender
o After much chasing by the militia, Shays
cross back into Massachusetts, where they
are defeated in a bloody encounter with the
government militia on February 27, 1787.
• Many rebels were imprisoned after
surrender. 14 leaders were sentenced to
death. However, most of them were freed,
including Shays. Why were they freed?
• Shay’s Rebellion showed the weakness of
the Confederation government.
Failure…
Why Did the First Central Government Fail?
o Weaknesses of the
Confederation
o Failure to Unify
o No control over trade
o Hard to pass/enforce
laws
o No national courts
o Economic Troubles
o Many kinds of money
o Paper $ loses value
o No power to tax
o Could not pay debts
o Problems with
Foreign Countries
oBritish refuse to leave
forts
oNo U.S. Army or Navy
oInterference with
American shipping
o One branch of gov’t
oNo system of checks
and balances.
oMost power held by
the states.
So Now What…?
I’m with ya Benny. We need a
CONSTITUTION!!!
Georgy! I don’t think
these Articles are working anymore!!!!
The Constitutional
Convention… A Distinguished Gathering…
The Major Players
o George Washington Leads
o James Madison – Father of the
Constitution
o Benjamin Franklin http://www.history.com/topics/benjamin-
franklin/videos#ben-franklin-the-ladies-man
o Gouverneur Morris
o Alexander Hamilton
http://youtu.be/OLSsswr6z9Y
Proposals…
o No, Not THAT kind of Proposal!
Proposals…
o VIRGINIA PLAN:
o James Madison’s Baby
oFederal System – States keep the
power but the Federal gov’t has the
final say.
o3 parts to the gov’t:
o Congress – Makes the laws
o Executive – President Carries out laws
o U.S. Courts – Make sure justice is done.
o Congress = bicameral (two houses)
o 1. lower – voters elect representatives
o 2. upper – Representatives choose
members.
Proposals…
oNew Jersey Plan: oWilliam Patterson’s Baby
oSTRONG Central Gov’t
oGov’t made of three branches:
oUnicameral House (Only One Part)
oEach state sends the same # to the House
oRepresentatives chosen by state governments, not the people.
Proposals…
oGreat Compromise:
oRoger Sherman (CT)
oBicameral Legislature
oLower House – Based on Population
oUpper House – Each state has two
senators
oHouse of Representatives –
Chosen by the people.
oSenate – Chosen by state
governments
Are we done yet?
o Ratification:
o 9 of 13 states must ratify, or pass the
Constitution.
o Voters choose a representative for
a state convention.
o Federalists vs. Anti-Federalists
o Constitution WINS!
oDelaware = 1st State to pass
o9th State = New Hampshire
oStates begin selection for two houses
and choosing of President.
