2 3 First Steps 2 3 First Steps

[ 2. 3 ] First Steps

[ 2. 3 ] First Steps Learning Objectives • • • Describe the debates that impacted the creation of the Articles of Confederation, the structure of the government set up under the Articles, and how that government was influenced by ideas, people, and historical documents. Explain why the weaknesses of the Articles led to a critical period for the country in the 1780 s. Describe how a growing need for a stronger national government led to plans for a Constitutional Convention.

[ 2. 3 ] First Steps Key Terms • • Articles of Confederation ratification full faith and credit Shays' Rebellion Daniel Shays Alexander Hamilton James Madison

The Articles of Confederation The First and Second Continental Congresses rested on no legal base. They were called in haste to meet an emergency, and they were intended to be temporary. Something more regular and permanent was clearly needed. In this reading, you will look at the first attempt to establish a lasting government for the new nation.

The Articles of Confederation – “a firm league of friendship” • • A Simple Structure • Unicameral congress • Presiding officer (Pres. Of Congress) chosen each year by the Congress • 1 -7 delegates from each state • 1 vote/state Congressional Powers • Make war and peace • Send and receive ambassadors • Make treaties • Borrow money • Set up a money system • Est. pot offices • Build navy • Raise army • Standardize weights and measures • Settle dispute among the states • The States Under the Articles – Obey Art. Of Confed. and acts of the Congress – Provide funds and troops requested by Congress – Give full faith and credit – Treat citizens of other states fairly – Surrender fugitives to one another – Allow open travel/trade among states

The Articles of Confederation George Washington leads troops across the Delaware River on December 25, 1776. As the fight for independence continued, Congress worked on a plan of government for the new nation.

A Time of Troubles, the 1780 s The long Revolutionary War finally ended on October 19, 1781. America’s victory was confirmed by the signing of the Treaty of Paris in 1783. Peace, however, brought the new nation’s economic and political weaknesses into sharp focus. • The States bickered among themselves • Refused to support the new central government financially and in other ways • Made agreements w/foreign gov’t w/o approval of Congress • Organized their own military forces • Taxed one another’s goods • Printed their own money • Prices soared • Sound credit vanished • Debts went unpaid • violence

A Time of Troubles, the 1780 s States often printed their own money, which was not backed by silver or gold and did not hold its value. Banks and merchants often refused to accept this money, leading to economic chaos.

Shays’ Rebellion • Mass. small farmers could not pay their taxes and debts and began to lose their property • Daniel Shays, an officer from the Revolutionary War, led an armed uprising that forced several State judges to close their courts • Attacked federal arsenal at Springfield before fleeing to Vermont • https: //www. youtube. com/watch? v=Fe. RYp. VBW QN 8

Weaknesses of the Articles of Confederation revealed • Congress lacked power to tax – It could raise money only by borrowing and by asking the states for funds • Lacked power to regulate trade among the states • Lacked power to make the States obey the A of C and laws • Required consent of 9/13 of states to exercise its powers • Required unanimous consent to amend A of C

A Demand for Stronger Government The Articles had created a government unable to deal with the nation’s troubles. Inevitably, demand grew for a stronger, more effective national government. Those who were most threatened by economic and political instability—large property owners, merchants, traders, and other creditors—soon took the lead in efforts to that end. The movement for change began to take concrete form in 1785.

A Demand for Stronger Government • • First Steps Toward Change • Maryland Virginia agreed to a conference to resolve conflicts over commerce and navigation on the Potomac R. and Chesapeake Bay • Success leads VA legislature calls for “a joint meeting of the States” A Call for Action • Annapolis Convention • Only 5 of 13 states attend • Called for another meeting to meet in Philadelphia • For the “sole and express purpose of revising the Articles of Confederation” • Philadelphia meeting became known as the Constitutional Convention

A Demand for Stronger Government Representatives from Virginia and Maryland moved their discussions to Mount Vernon (shown here) in 1785. This Mount Vernon Conference began a new era of interstate cooperation.

Quiz: The Articles of Confederation What was the main governing body created under the Articles of Confederation? A. B. C. D. a presiding officer a judicial branch an executive branch a unicameral Congress

Quiz: A Time of Troubles, the 1780 s What is one reason the weaknesses of the Articles of Confederation helped contribute to economic chaos following the Revolutionary War? A. B. C. D. States created their own banks. States printed their own money. States refused to tax their people. States borrowed from the Federal Government.

Quiz: A Demand for Stronger Government What weakness in the Articles of Confederation led to a conflict between Virginia and Maryland? A. B. C. D. Congress did not have the power to collect taxes from the States. Congress did not have the power to print currency. Congress did not have the power to enforce laws in the States. Congress did not have the power to regulate trade among the States.