The Articles of Confederation

I. Formed the first government of the U.S.

II. Was a loose alliance of independent States- gave some power to the central government but the States kept the greater part of the power

III. Reflected the colonists fears of a strong central government.

What fears did colonists have? After fighting the Revolution, what kind of government would you

want?

V. Achievements

A. Northwest Ordinance of 1787- Planned for creating 5 new territories in the West. When made a state they would be equal to the original 13 states.

IV. Weaknesses of the Articles of Confederation

A. No President to carry out laws

B. States had most power; Federal government had little power

C. Federal government had no power to tax people

D. No single national currency- States had their own

E. 9 out of 13 states had to approve a law before it went into effect

F. Congress was not allowed to maintain an army- only States had militias

Why are each of these considered a weakness?

VI. Shay’s Rebellion: (1786)

A. Farmers protest in Massachusetts about paying too much in taxes

B. They attempted to take control of an arsenal- The Massachusetts militia finally breaks the rebellion

*C. Showed the weakness of the national government- it could not put down revolts- it had to ask the states to do it.

“What a triumph for our enemies, to find that we are incapable of governing ourselves!”

-George Washington, shortly after Shay’s Rebellion of 1786

1. Why does Washington consider Shay’s Rebellion a triumph for the enemies of America?

2. How did Shay’s Rebellion show that America had a weak government? How might this threaten the safety of America?

3. What do you consider to be the two major flaws in the Articles of Confederation? How would you correct them?