THE ARTICLES OF CONFEDERATION
As the end of the
American Revolution
approached and it
seemed possible that
the colonies may claim
victory, the Continental
Congress met to create
a plan to govern their
new country.
In 1781 the Articles of
Confederation were
approved.
This was the 1st
government of the
United States. It lasted
until 1787.
Why Did the Articles of
Confederation Last Only 6
Years?
THE ARTICLES OF CONFEDERATION
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The Articles of Confederation were
adopted after the Revolutionary
War (1781-1787)
A loose organization of states
Came together mainly for
defense
More power given to the states,
not the national (federal)
government
Overall, power is limited and
the government is weak. This
is on purpose!!!
Why not give more power to the
national government instead?
The states feared a centralized
government would limit their
rights, and possibly lead to a
dictator or king
“Each state retains its
sovereignty, freedom,
and independence, and
every Power,
Jurisdiction, and right,
which is not by this
confederation expressly
delegated to the United
States, in Congress
assembled.”
More power given to
the states than the
national government
“States’ Rights”
“In determining questions
in the united States, in
Congress assembled, each
State shall have one vote.”
“The committee of the
States, or any nine of them,
shall be authorized to
execute, in the recess of
congress, such of the
powers of congress as the
united States in congress
assembled, by the consent
of the nine States”
Regardless of
population, all states
have one vote.
To pass laws, 9 of 13
states are required (2/3)
“The said States hereby severally enter into a firm league of friendship
with each other, for their common defense, the security of their liberties,
and their mutual and general welfare, binding themselves to assist each
other, against all force offered to, or attacks made upon them…”
The states are unified mostly for the purpose of
defense
The United States are more like 13 separate countries
with a defense alliance
WHAT DID THE ARTICLES OF CONFEDERATION
SAY ABOUT THE NATIONAL GOVERNMENT?
The National The National
government could: government could
Declare war not:
Collect taxes
Make peace Control foreign
Sign treaties or domestic
Borrow money trade
Amend (change)
Make treaties the A. of C.
with Native unless all 13
Americans states agreed
Force the states
to do anything
HOW DID THE ARTICLES OF
CONFEDERATION DEAL WITH
WESTERN LANDS?
Northwest
Ordinance of 1787
Law passed by
Congress to deal
with western
lands
Outlawed slavery
in this region
Provided a system
for territories to
become states
Considered the
most important
success of the
A. of C.
WHY DIDN’T THE ARTICLES OF
CONFEDERATION SUCCEED?
Because the national government was weak
No army, no way to collect taxes, no court system, etc
Because the states didn’t get along
Created their own money, taxed people from other states
1786—Shay’s Rebellion
Revolt of farmers against high taxes
in Massachusetts
National government could not help
Massachusetts stop the revolt
Revolt failed, but it convinced many
Americans that they need a
stronger federal government
1787—States met in Philadelphia to
create a new government (U.S.
