Big Fat Failure (of the Articles of Confederation)

Why did the USA replace our 1st governing document with the Constitution???

Objective 1.05

After the Revolutionary War

Colonies were now states bound by a loose Confederation

Each were ruled by a state legislature that acted independent of each other

A Unicameral (one chambered) Congress drafted the Articles of Confederation to oversee the new states

The AOC created a Congress that allowed for: power to declare war, make foreign treaties, and work out trade between states.

The AOC proved to be a weak document and caused many problems

But… the AOC were denied the power to tax or enforce any laws.

The Government of the new country was weak and ineffective

Problems abound!Due to the failure to tax the states were in debt.

States were buying manufactured goods from England over higher priced American goods.

To pay for the War states began to raise taxes on land, causing families to fall into personal debt and loose their farms.

On man, a former Revolutionary war solder, decided to lead a rebellion to protest.

Shays RebellionNews of the rebellion lead by Daniel Shays in Massachusetts spread quickly.

The state militia had to be brought in to put down the uprising.

Many Americans saw the uprising as only the beginning and the need for a stronger national gov’t was called for.

The Congress met and originally decided to amend the AOC, but in the end scrapped them and wrote a new document.

In the end, the new and improved document would be called the Constitution and would be our current plan of government.

Check your Knowledge- Can you answer the following 2 practice EOC questions?

Check your Knowledge!

Question 1

What was a concern that led the 2nd Continental Congress to draft changes to the AOC?

A. The colonists need to organize a strong army under central control

B. The fear that one individual state could gain power over others

C. The vulnerability of the southern colonies to northern control

D. The potential for a hostile relationship with Great Britain

Question 2- Why under the AOC , why was the government was unsuccessful in solving problems?

A. Unlimited power was given to the supreme court

B. Most power remained with State govts

C. Members of congress were elected based on population

D. Political parties prevented laws from being passed.

#1- Answer A- After Shays rebellion the need for a strong central military under nation control was evident#2- Answer B the states acted as little “countries” and were not unified as a single nation.