The Critical Period (1781-1787)Government Under the Articles

of ConfederationUnit 2: Building a Nation

(1763-1800)

Forming New Governments• After the war we had two tasks: 1) Restructuring

colonial governments and 2) Forming a national government

• Major Influences: 1215-Magna Carta (Parliament), 1689-English Bill of Rights (Limited Government), the Enlightenment, the Mayflower Compact, English and Colonial Tradition, Greek and Roman ideals, and Judeo-Christian traditions

• We had to create states 1st, then a United States. Which task was more difficult?

The Articles of Confederation• Written in 1777 and adopted in 1781 – the 13 United

States adopted their first constitution- The Articles of Confederation based on powers of old Continental Congress.

• It created a “Firm League of Friendship” with a weak national government. Like an alliance.

• The 13 states held the real power to govern.• The powers granted to the federal gov’t were limited.• It only lasted for 6 years (1781 – 1787).

Why the Articles Failed?• Couldn’t regulate trade among

states• Disputes among states over land

(ultimately N.W. Ordinance would be only real success for Congress)

• Couldn’t impose tariffs • Couldn’t tax states• States coined their money

(inflation)• No President• Each state = 1 Vote• 3/4 vote to pass laws (9/13

majority)• Amendment = Unanimous Vote

Land Disputes Between States (1783)

The Straw That Broke the Camel’s Back!• Captain Daniel Shays’ Rebellion

-(1786) Massachusetts• 1780’s Depression – Farmers

couldn’t pay their debts• MA govt’t determined to

impose taxes to pay state’s debts

• 1200 farmers shut down the courts & took up arms to stop foreclosures.

• Massachusetts sent the militia to suppress the rebellion.

As a result, many Americans were convinced that the U.S. needed a new government!

Exit Slip: The Critical Period1. What was the name of the first government

of the United States of America?2. How did the Enlightenment help influence

American beliefs about government?3. Name one weakness of the new government

that led to its failure?4. His rebellion helped convince the founding

fathers that a new government was needed?