The Articles of Confederation The Articles of Confederation

The Articles of Confederation

The Articles of Confederation • The Articles were written in 1777 by John Dickinson, a Penn. statesman • The Articles were accepted by Congress in 1781 • Considered the first national constitution

The Articles of Confederation • The fear of having too much power in one person’s hands reflects the experiences the colonies had under a monarchy • In the Articles the state governments limit the power of the national Congress

Weaknesses of the Articles of Confederation • Congress had no power to raise taxes • Congress had no power regulate foreign or state trade • Laws had to be approved by 9 out of 13 states • Congress did not have the power to enforce laws

Strengths of the Articles of Confederation • The Treaty of Paris 1783 was signed • The Northwest Ordinance was past • Had the power to declare war and peace, print money, make treaties and settle state disputes

Strengths of the Articles of Confederation: Settling Western Lands • The Land Ordinance of 1785, stated that land in the west was to be surveyed using a grid system to establish 6 mile blocks • The Northwest Ordinance assisted in the orderly expansion of the United States, it outlined a plan for applying for statehood to western territories • 5, 000 free males who own 50 acres can start govt • Population of 60, 000 could become a state

Settling Western lands • The Northwest Ordinance provides an orderly settlement process in the West • It promised • • no slavery education freedom of religion trial by jury

Northwest Territory • The Northwest Territory was east of the Mississippi River and north of the Ohio River. • The states formed from this area were: • • • Ohio Michigan Indiana Illinois Wisconsin

Reasons for Shay’s Rebellion • Farmers are required to pay debts in gold, they have no money because they were not paid during the war • Wealthy lawmakers invested their money in the war too. And seek to get money from the farmers debts

Shays’s Rebellion • Poor farmers are not represented in the Mass legislature and cannot pass debt relief laws • The rebellion will free debtors from prisons and close courts that are hearing cases against farmers

Shays’s Rebellion • The Mass militia is called out to stop it • Poor farmers in 1791 elect officials who support their stance and will close courthouses and demand financial help from the Congress • Shays’s Rebellion will prompt national leaders to create a stronger central government

Samuel Adams Said What? ! • “Rebellion against a king may be pardoned, or lightly punished, but the man who dares to rebel against the laws of a republic ought to suffer death”

Views about Shays’s Rebellion • Adams will also write a law called the Riot Act, which prohibits 12 people or more from meeting and gives the government the power to shoot rioters! • Samuel sure has changed since 1776!

Thomas Jefferson Said What? ! • "A little rebellion now and then is a good thing. It is a medicine necessary for the sound health of government. God forbid that we should ever be twenty years without such a rebellion. "