The Articles of ConfederationChapter 2 Section 3

Vocabulary

Ratify

Unicameral

Cede

Ordinance

Legislature

Levy

Precedent

What are the Articles of Confederation?

The form of government that came before the Constitution

Ratified – voted to approve

Presented by Congressional committee in 1777, ratified by all 13 states by 1781.

Why did it take so long?

What did the government look like?It was unicameral – or a single legislature

Leaders chosen from legislatureWhen not in session, government was run by Committee of StatesHow many people made up this committee? 13 – why?No federal system, Congress settled disputesEach state had 1 vote(State paid its representatives and could recall them)

What powers did Congress have?

Only those listed in the Articles

Make war and peaceSend and receive ambassadorsMake treatiesRaise and equip a navyMaintain an army by asking states for troops

Appoint military officersFix weights and measuresRegulate Indian affairsSet up post officesDecide some state disputes

Weaknesses of the Articles

Created an ineffectual national government, why?

No states would give up sovereignty

Congress could not levy, or collect, taxes

Congress could not regulate trade

Congress could not enforce laws

Weaknesses

Congress needed 9 of the 13 states to pass laws

To amend the Articles, all states had to agree

No executive branch, no unitary policy

No national court system

Achievements

Established a fair, consistent policy for settling lands west of the Appalachians.

States ceded, or gave up, land claimsCongress passed two ordinances, or laws, that set how the land would be governed

1783 treaty with Britain – recognized American independence

Set up departments of War, Treasury, Foreign Affairs

Set precedent for cabinet departments

Problems

States began to fight, why?Each state thought it was sovereign

Growing money problemsOwed $40 million to foreign governments and Revolutionary soldiers

1786 – economic depression

Shay’s Rebellion

Former Revolutionary Army captain

Marched on a federal arsenal in Springfield with 1,200 menPut down by Massachusetts militia – damage was done

Annapolis Convention

Only 5 states sent delegatesIncluded Hamilton and Madison, both favored strong central government

Hamilton persuaded delegates to call another convention in Philadelphia in 1787 to regulate commerce and make national government more effective

Set the stage for the “miracle at Philadelphia”