Articles of Confederation

Articles of Confederation

1. Articles of Confederation First Constitution of the US 1776-1787

2. Central Gov’t Under the Articles Single- chamber (unicameral) congress No executive branch or president Congress made up of one delegate from each state w/ one vote each Congress’ powers limited to: 1. Foreign affairs 2. Defense Articles of Confederation

3. Weak Central Gov’t No power to levy taxes No power to regulate trade between states No power to enforce laws Difficult to pass laws: needed 9/13 to pass a law Needed consent from all 13 states to amend the Articles No Executive Branch No Federal court system (Supreme Court)

4. Need for Stronger Gov’t States began to argue over boundary lines and tariffs . *(taxes) Central gov’t had no money to maintain an army and was $40 million in debt. 1786 economic depression left many farmers in debt. Gov’t could not pay soldiers

5. Shays’s Rebellion Farmers in debt were often jailed or their properties were seized by state authorities. Armed farmers closed courts to prevent farm foreclosures Daniel Shays and a force of 1200 men closed the Massachusetts Supreme Court Massachusetts militia put down the rebellion

6. Annapolis Convention Alexander Hamilton (NY) and James Madison (VA), both in favor of a stronger central gov’t, called for a convention in Philadelphia Philadelphia Convention (May, 1787) to revise the Articles of Confederation

7. Achievements Northwest Ordinance - Developed a fair policy for the development of lands west of the Appalachians Peace Treaty with Great Britain- Britain recognized American independence, and America gained land