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Slide Notes
An American Congress met during the Revolutionary War with the intent to support the war and create a central government. This task was not easy! The states still wanted decision making abilities within each individual state, but they also recognized the need to join as a unified country.
Articles of Confederation
Published on Nov 18, 2015
Articles of Confederation
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PRESENTATION OUTLINE
Articles of Confederation
America's First Plan of Government
An American Congress met during the Revolutionary War with the intent to support the war and create a central government. This task was not easy! The states still wanted decision making abilities within each individual state, but they also recognized the need to join as a unified country.
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Confederation vs. federation
Confederation = Country of combined states; states hold the power.
Federation = A country made up of individual states that have power to make decisions BUT share that power with a national government that controls key aspects of the country’s policy.
Federation = A country made up of individual states that have power to make decisions BUT share that power with a national government that controls key aspects of the country’s policy.
Why a confederation?
Why did Congress, during the Revolutionary War, choose to form a confederation?
- Colonies established separately (Remember our study of colonization? Each colony was established and grew in its own unique way.)
- Frustration with central British government
- Colonies established separately (Remember our study of colonization? Each colony was established and grew in its own unique way.)
- Frustration with central British government
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Articles of Confederation
- Written in 1776-1777; ratified in 1781
- Establishment of central (national) government
- Weaker central government
- One vote per state in Congress
- No executive branch (president/king)
The Articles of Confederation was a document of laws for the new American central (or national government.
Powers of the central government
- Declare war
- Raise an army and navy
- Print money
- Centralize a postal system
Each of these powers granted to the central government under the Articles of Confederation were important during war time.
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Limitations of the Confederation
- Congress could not tax
- Congress had to ask states for money
- No enforcement of laws at national level
- No regulation of trade
Since Congress was not granted the right to tax states, they had to ask states for money. States were reluctant to provide money to the un-established central government. In addition, states needed money to stay within their state as they rebuilt after war.
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Quarrels Between States
- Inconsistent taxing between states
- State boundary lines
- Separate forms of currency
As states traded with each other, goods were taxed as they crossed state lines, often inconsistently. States also began trade relations with foreign countries, establishing their own trade laws.
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Weak Economy
- Congress was not supported financially.
- States used different currencies--worth?
- Citizens accumulated debt.
While the central government was able to coin money, but it lacked silver or gold to mint. With the shortage of money, states began printing their own money. Each state created a different size and value... confusing!! And, as money was used across state lines, it was unclear of its value.
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Shays's Rebellion
- 1786 in Massachusetts
- Protest of rising debt and economic unrest
- Congress could not stop protests
- Additional rebellions symbolized lack of control
Daniel Shays, a farmer and war hero, led the rebellion after he was forced to sell his property to pay his debt. Shays led a rebellion at courthouses attempting to prevent judges from seizing farms.
Photo by Stuck in Customs
