The Articles of Confederation 1781 1789 The Founders

The Articles of Confederation 1781 -1789

The Founders believed a national government was needed in order to: • Unify the states • Conduct the war • Control trade • Manage conflicts among the states.

Articles of Confederation The States came together “for their common defense, the security of their liberties and their mutual and general welfare…” More an alliance of independent states, than a unified nation. Unicameral Legislature Each state had one vote regardless of population

Articles of Confederation Our first national government • Reflected the two main fears of colonists… • Fear of strong national government [King] • Fear that some states would dominate others • Articles established a “league of friendship” among the states • Each state retained sovereignty (power, authority)

Powers of Congress • make war and peace; • send and receive ambassadors; • make treaties; • borrow money; • set up a money system; • establish post offices; • build a navy; • raise an army by asking the states for troops; • fix uniform standards of weights and measures.

Strengths of the A. O. C. • The war for independence against Great Britain was successfully waged. • The negotiations of the Treaty of Paris which ended the war. • It provided that each state recognize the laws of other states. • extradition • It passed the Northwest Ordinance of 1787.

Weaknesses of the A. O. C. 1 -Congress did not have the power to tax. It could only raise money by borrowing and asking the states for funds. 2 -Congress could not regulate trade between the states. 3 -Congress could ask, but not force, states to send troops for national use. 4 -Each state was allowed to print its own money. Congress could not regulate the value of this money. 5 -The Congress was limited by a lack of power to make the states obey the AOC or the laws it made. 6 -Congress could only pass laws with 9/13 approval. 7 -AOC could only be changed with unanimous consent 13/13 state legislatures. 8 -No executive branch to enforce the laws 9 -No judicial branch to settle disputes

The Problem of Congress’ Lack of Authority • • • Individually read Discuss Fill out answer sheet Record responses NEATLY on chart paper Students present Others take notes

Group 1 Federalist no. 15, Hamilton: US a national humiliation 1 -Can’t pay debts to foreigners and citizens [can’t collect money from the states] 2 -We have valuable territories and posts in the possession of foreign powers [military weakness] 3 -Can’t repel foreign aggression: no troops, treasury, nor government. 4 -Can’t navigate Miss R. ; Spain still there to prevent us. 5 -Public credit in peril. . . commerce in peril 6 -Not respect by foreign powers/ambassadors ridiculed. 7 -Our Gvt. seen as imbecilic. 8 -Value of land decreased [want of public/private-speculators confidence. ]

Group 2 Robert Morris to the President of Congress, 3/17/83 1 -We need more money to conduct this country; what we are getting now from the states is not enough; it just barely keeps the country running. 2 -No hope for money from Europe [waiting to see US fail; see how bad country is being run] 3 -We don’t have the right to expect aid from others when we are unwilling to help ourselves. Public credit is gone. 4 -Can’t get credit without funds. 5 -Congress will eventually figure out it needs more money; and will them realize they can’t borrow and the states will not pay. 6 -When I mention this to Congress, they do not listen

Group 3 Gouverneur Morris [NY, Represented PA in Const. Convention] to John Jay [fed papers. ] 1/1/83 1 -Military is not getting paid; can’t afford clothes and food; can’t pay their debts 2 -If soldiers accounts settled, not secured by competent funds. 3 -Fear of an Angry army rebelling [foreshadowing of Shay’s Rebellion]? 4 -Not a real government; must create a government worthy of that name. 5 -Our lack of experience in government will be bought at a dear price.

Group 4 Washington to James Warren, 10/7/85 1 -Do not possess wisdom or justice enough to govern the nation properly. 2 -Jealousy and local policy are harmful to good government 3 -A confederation: with Congress not being listened to. 4 -It is a mistake not to give our government the full power it needs. 5 -Thus, from a highly principled concept at self-government, we have descended into confusion and darkness. 6 -We could be one of the most respected nations in the world; we have what it takes, the States must cooperate. Could lose respect from Europe. 7 -Foreign commerce good or bad? /trade important to the States and can’t be restrained. 8 -Must unite, need a controlling [strong central govt. ] power.

Group 5 Rufus King to Elbridge Gerry: 4/30/86 1 -It is difficult to get 9 states to attend Congress. Not enough states represented as to give power to administer government. We are becoming a laughing stock in the eyes of other countries. 2 -Requests to states for money have been ignored; some states care so little of the Union that they don’t even bother being represented in Congress. 3 -The civil list begin to clamor---there is no money to pay them/they are mutinous and desert because they are unpaid. The money borrowed from Europe is exhausted. 4 -Can there be no means devised whereby Mass can yield money to the common treasury? [How to make the States pay? ]

Group 6 Washington to John Jay, 8/15/86 1 -We had too good an opinion of human nature in forming our confederation. Experience tells that men must be forced to enact measures best calculated for own good without coercive power. We will not exist for long unless the nation unites. 2 -It is absurd to fear vesting power in Congress. 3 -Congress requisitioning states are absurd when each can refuse 4 -What’s to be done? Respectable people are even advocating monarchy. 5 -What a triumph for the advocates of despotism to find that the US is incapable of governing ourselves.

Group 7 John Jay to Jefferson, 10/27/86 1 -The inefficacy of our gov. is becoming more apparent. Treasury and credit in a sad situation Wisdom or passions of the people will produce changes: Shays’ Rebellion. 2 -It’s in the newspapers: A reluctance to tax; impatient govt. ; a rage for property with little regard for the means to acquire it. 3 -Ambituous speculators who prefer private to public good. 4 -The charms of liberty will fade and in seeking for peace and security: could desire a king! 5 -Changes are necessary, BUT WHICH ONES!!! 6 -If liberty doesn’t take root here, then little pains will be taken to

Critical Period • Weaknesses of Articles led to economic and political problems • States in conflict (taxes, trade) • States do not support central gov’t • States printed own money / made own laws • Cant pay off debt • Shays’ Rebellion • Showed that to survive the United States needed a stronger national government

Constitutional Convention May 25 -September 17 1787 in Philadelphia • 12 of 13 states (no Rhode Island) • 55 delegates made up Framers of Constitution • Worked in total secrecy. • Originally called to revise the Articles then decided to create a new government.

Plans for Constitution Virginia Plan • Three separate branches • Bicameral legislature • Representation based on population • National government with expanded powers Favored Large States New Jersey Plan • Unicameral Congress • Equal representation • Federal executive of more than one person Favored Small States Main Issue: How would states be represented in Congress?

Great Compromise • Connecticut Compromise • Bicameral Congress • Senate states represented equally • House of Representatives represented based on population

3/5’s Compromise

3/5’s Compromise • The southern states wanted to count their slaves as population for representation in the House of Representatives • The northern states didn’t want the slaves to count if they had no rights as citizens

3/5’s Compromise • The northern states thought that this would give the southern states an unfair advantage in votes taken in the House of Representatives.

3/5’s Compromise • The two sides reached a compromise: • Each slave would count as 3/5 of a person for representation in the House of Representatives