The Articles of Confederation The First Constitution

ofThe United States of America

Effective 1781

http://bensguide.gpo.gov/9-12/documents/articles/

http://flagspot.net/flags/us-1777.html

SWBAT

• While the United States of America were organized under the Articles of Confederation,

1. Describe how EXPANSION issues were settled.

2. Describe how FOREIGN RELATIONS were handled.

3. Explain how Shay’s Rebellion demonstrated weaknesses in the Articles of Confederation (AoC).

After the Revolutionand Before the CONSTITUTION was written

• The Colonies became organized as one nation under the AoC

• The AoC Recognized the need for State sovereignty & Federal power, but had a hard time balancing these

• Worked in times of war• Created problems in times of

peace

Federal Power vs. State Sovereignty

• Federalism – belief in a strong national government to oversee or lead on national issues:trade and economytaxationsecurityrights/freedomsinternational relationslaws and courts

• States Sovereignty– belief that individual states should have more power/control over these issues

• Citizens feared a strong, centralized government would take away the rights of citizens, much like Great Britain did

Analyze Features of the AOC

• Handout 1.3A from TCI –USH-8-3, Activity 1.3, Page 4 & 5

• Working with a partner, complete the matrix filling in the blanks.

• Compare answers to the other partnership in your corner group

First: Analyze Features of the AoCNext: AoC Matrix: Written Response

•Using the matrix, discuss how the AoC enforced State sovereignty instead of Central Authority.

•Which feature(s) do you think will cause the most problems and why?

Internal Problems• Relations between the

States were deteriorating

• Boundary disputes• Levying of duties (taxes)

on “imported” goods from state to state

• Differing paper currencies (money)

• Fear of Massachusetts problems spreading

Internal Problems: Massachusetts

• Crop prices fell, farmers were in debt to rich lenders

• Rich lenders ran legislature and court

• Paper money became worthless

• Farmers were losing farms to bankruptcy

• Petitions for reforms were submitted & denied

• So . . .

Shays Rebellion

• A “little rebellion.”• Began 29 AUG 1786

– was sporadic and widespread at first

– several leaders of the rebellion were jailed

• Daniel Shays led 1,500 to 2,000 men and occupied the State Supreme Courthouse and later led an assault on a federal arsenal

• Ended 03 FEB 1787 when 4,400 militia attack and scattered Shays’ men

http://www.sjchs-history.org/Shays.html

Shays: A Reaction in Favor of Rebellion

Thomas Jefferson, Letter to James Madison, from Paris, Jan. 30, 1787 "I hold it that a little rebellion now and then is a good thing, and as necessary in the political world as storms in the physical. Unsuccessful rebellions, indeed, generally establish the encroachments on the rights of the people which have produced them. An observation of this truth should render honest republican governors so mild in their punishment of rebellions as not to discourage them too much. It is a medicine necessary for the sound health of the government."

http://www.sjchs-history.org/Shays.html

Shays: A Reaction AgainstGeorge Washington, Letter to James Madison,

Nov. 5, 1786

• "Let us look to our National character, and to things beyond the present period. No Morn ever dawned more favourable than ours did - and no day was ever more clouded than the present! Wisdom, & good examples are necessary at this time to rescue the political machine from the impending storm."

Chief Justice William Cushing, Supreme Judicial Court, in the Hampshire Gazette, June 6, 1787

• "[I fear] evil minded persons, leaders of the insurgents...[waging war] against the Commonwealth, to bring the whole government and all the good people of this state, if not continent, under absolute command and subjugation to one or two ignorant, unprincipled, bankrupt, desperate individuals."

http://www.sjchs-history.org/Shays.html

Expansion Problems

• Were eventually solved through passage of the Northwest Ordinance

• Rather than enlarge Eastern states – Make NewTerritories!• The Land:

– North of the Ohio River– West of the Appalachian Mtns– East of the Mississippi River

• Requirements:– 5,000 population to become territory– 60,000 population to become state– Encouraged religion and Education as the foundations of a free

state– No Slavery!

External Problem #1: England• Great Britain sent no Foreign

Minister – someone to discuss concerns with (trade, etc.)

• England did not leave the NW territory (Ohio, Michigan, Wisconsin)– Incited Indians– Dominated the fur trade– Closed ports to American

ships in Canada and W. Indies

• Debts were not being paid as Treaty required

External Problem #2: Spain & France• Spain

– Closed Mississippi River to American ships

– Claimed land granted to USA under Treaty

– Plotted w/Indians to hinder western settlement

• France

- demanded loan repayment for helping us during the Revolution

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