Articles of Confederation

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OVERVIEW: The American War for Independence did not destroy a titled aristocracy but did have a significant social impact on certain population groups. A SOCIAL REVOLUTION?

INDEPENDENCE FOR ALL? Post-War denial of liberties: 

INDEPENDENCE FOR ALL? Post-War denial of liberties Loyalists: Properties seized and many fled to other parts of Br. Empire. African-Americans: Slavery virtually ended in North but continued in South 1775: Philadelphia Quakers found first anti-slavery society Native Americans: Protection of Proclamation Line of 1763 ended; Influx of settlers westward Women: Failed to attain status implied by revolution’s ideals despite their active role in it

Weaknesses of the Articles seemed to prove the need to increase the power of the national government: 

Weaknesses of the Articles seemed to prove the need to increase the power of the national government Inadequate govt.: Congress could: *Request funds and borrow money but not lay taxes or collect tariffs Declare war but not raise armies *Not regulate interstate commerce Negotiate treaties but lacked authority abroad Diplomatic troubles: Congress unable to compel states to repay pre-war debts & allow Loyalists to recover properties European govts. closed off American trade with their colonies yet Br. goods flooded America Financial woes: “Good faith” paper currency printed by states and Congress during the war was worthless (“continentals”) Govt. sank deeper into debt States attempted to impose their own taxes on domestic and foreign trade Foreign trade went through a period of adjustment (no longer reliant on Britain) "The Critical Period" (1781 - 89)

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Articles of Confederation Government: 1781-1789

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REPRESENTATIVE DEMOCRACY 13 colonies had a tradition of governing themselves….. Elected their own representative law making bodies. Passed laws to keep peace within their communities. Colonies had a tradition of representative democracy . That’s why they fought the Revolution. How will they exist under the Articles of Confederation

A/C chart: 

Our first constitution ( law of the land ) and attempt to create a democratic government based on the ideas of DOI . Written by 2 nd Continental Congress during War and took effect in March 1781… Becomes the Confederation Congress Each State united under the AoC but each still had their own constitutions. A/C chart ARTICLES OF CONFEDERATION

Common Features of State Constitutions: 

Common Features of State Constitutions Popular Sovereignty Popular sovereignty was the basis for every new State constitution. Government can exist and function only with the consent of the governed. People hold power and are sovereign. Limited government was a major feature of each State constitution. Powers delegated to government were granted reluctantly and hedged with many restrictions. In every State it was made clear that the sovereign people held certain rights that the government must respect at all times. Seven of the new constitutions contained a bill of rights, setting out the “unalienable rights” State governments were purposely divided among three branches: executive, legislative, and judicial . Each branch was given powers with a system of checks and balances. Separation of Powers and Checks and Balances Civil Rights and Liberties Limited Government State Constitutions

Articles of Confederation went in effect in 1781 Ineffective from the beginning: 

Articles of Confederation went in effect in 1781 Ineffective from the beginning Use your reading to Discuss with a partner some of the problems and weaknesses (advantages and disadvantages) associated with the AOC. What were some of the achievements of the national government under the Articles of Confederation?

A/C chart: 

A/C chart ARTICLES OF CONFEDERATION Confederation Government govt. of loosely organized states Each state independent and conducted their own affairs Created a weak national govt. which had little powers to solve US problems States held more power than US govt. Would unite in times of crisis. “Treaty of Cooperation between the states”

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Major Problem Could not tax, regulate trade or enforce its laws because the states held more power than the National Government. Why? Feared a government like King George

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National Govt. AOC/Congress given 20% of govt.powers States given 80% of governmental powers…States were over the National Govt. US GOVERNMENT IN 1781 Fearing a strong central govt. like King George the AOC created a weak National Government that was not given the power to tax, regulate trade or enforce their laws. EFFECTS Could not deal effectively with US problems.

debt: 

Foreign Debt $11,710,000 Federal Domestic Debt $42,414,000 State Debt $21,500,000 Problem of Debt We owed France, Spain and other countries who helped us with the Revolutionary War. debt Individual states owed citizens who loaned money to their state. US Govt. owed soldier’s for fighting in the war, debts to British and Loyalists. $80 Mil. debt – How do you resolve this issue?

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USA Northwest Territory

Jays: 

Jays British were to remove their troops from US soil…..The National Government under the AOC was powerless to force Great Britain to honor the Treaty of Paris, 1783 Another problem to deal with. Our Land

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Indian Land Cessions: 1768-1799

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Disputed Territorial Claims Between Spain & the US: 1783-1796

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State Claims to Western Lands How does the govt. deal with these claims? This land could be a source of revenue.

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Solution = LAND ORDINANCE OF 1785 Policy created under the AoC Grid system was created by Thomas Jefferson… Structured and organized land policy Allowed for a peaceful purchase of land. Promoted an orderly expansion westward.. Confederation Congress convinced states who claimed land out west to cede their land to the US Govt. US Govt. was to come up with a fair and reasonable land policy…..Unlike the Proclamation of 1763…. Northwest Territory

Land Ordinance: 

Land Ordinance Plot #16 was set aside for public education Public Land sold for $1.00 to $2.00 an acre = pay debt LAND ORDINANCE OF 1785 Northwest Territory

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NORTHWEST ORDINANCE OF 1787 An addition to the Land Ordinance of 1785 Congress sold land in large blocks, 40, 80, 160, 320 and 640 acres. $1 to 2$ an acre to help pay debt. Encouraged settlers to form townships. New states formed would be = to original 13 Influx of settlers causes violence with Indians Guaranteed settlers “unalienable rights” Northwest Territory

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Ohio 1 ST STEP WHEN PEOPLE FIRST SETTLE IN THE AREA: Congress appoints a governor and three judges to govern the territory 2 nd STEP 5,000 FREE ADULT MALES: Landowners elect a congress to make laws and raise taxes with approval of governor. 1 representative is elected to the US Congress who can debate but not vote. 3 rd STEP 60,000 SETTLERS: Becomes a state, with its own government and constitution. New states admitted with same rights as the original states. No more than 5 states can carved out of this area. The Northwest Ordinance encouraged ideals of the DOI and republicanism ( representative democracy ) religious freedom , protection of liberty and property , encouraged education , admitted new states and no slavery . NORTHWEST ORDINANCE

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The United States in 1787

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On the Road to Philadelphia Mt. Vernon Conference – March 1785 George Washington hosted a conference at his home in Mt. Vernon, VA (1785) to discuss interstate commerce and other issues Representatives agreed that the problems were serious enough to hold further discussions at a later meeting at Annapolis, MD, (1786) at which all the states might be represented The Annapolis Convention (1786) Only 5 states sent delegates Alexander Hamilton and James Madison persuaded the others to call for a Constitutional Convention , to be held in Philadelphia for the purpose of revising the Articles of Confederation “to render the constitution of the Federal Govt. adequate to the needs of the Union” Feb. 1787 - Congress called upon all states to send delegates “for the sole purpose of revising the A. of C.”

Notes2: 

Shay’s Rebellion 1786 to 87 What was Shay’s Rebellion? What is the historical significance? What is a FACTION? Why are they a threat? Compare the govt. under the AOC with a contemporary confederation. What issues do they deal with? Notes2

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In early 1787 a group protested against the Massachusetts govt. Debt-ridden farmers (veterans of the Revolution) took up arms to demand more paper currency, postponement of debt payments and an end to mortgage foreclosures. Why? They were in debt, their homes being repossessed and unfair taxation. They were led by Daniel Shays, a former army captain in the Revolutionary War. The purpose of the rebellion was to prevent foreclosures by keeping the courts from sitting until the next election. Shay’s Rebellion was put down by private army paid for by wealthy merchants from Boston. The AOC was unable to put down the rebellion with a national guard or army. Domestic Troubles SHAY'S REBELLION

Shays: 

Shays Daniel Shay 1785 to 1787, unfair taxes, debt and foreclosure Farmer’s rebellion to overthrow Mass. Govt. SHAY'S REBELLION, 1787

Shays: 

Shays Attacks by Shay followers Encounters between Shay’s and hired militias. SHAY'S REBELLION, 1787 Outcomes Rebellion put down by a private militia US Govt. too weak to put down rebellion Americans feared govt. too weak = anarchy Feb - Call for a Constitutional Convention to change AOC and create a stronger national government.

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Why was Shay’s Rebellion such a concern to our founding fathers? The AOC was unable to act decisively in a time of crisis ( could not protect life, liberty and property ). Provided all the evidence needed to finally convene and revise the constitution. Why A New Constitution

1. The group most likely to approve of the Articles of Confederation would be?:: 

1. The group most likely to approve of the Articles of Confederation would be?: Former officers in the Continental Army. Those who feared strong central government. Those who held U.S. government securities. Bankers, merchants, and financiers. Those who feared the dangers of unrestrained democracy.

2. One of the chief reasons for the failure of the Articles of Confederation was?:: 

2. One of the chief reasons for the failure of the Articles of Confederation was?: Their lack of an adequate mechanism for Congress to force states to comply with its decisions Their focus on the separation of powers within the federal branch of government. Their failure to adequately curb the powers of the executive branch of government. Their failure to provide women and free blacks with the right to vote. Their strict tax collection provisions which raised resentments among the states.

3. The central compromise of the Constitutional Convention involved the issue of?:: 

3. The central compromise of the Constitutional Convention involved the issue of?: Balance of powers within the federal government. Relationship of state and federal powers. Abandonment of the Articles of Confederation. Representation of large and small states. The powers of the presidency.

4. In James Madison’s tenth Federalist, the most dangerous threat to the U.S. Constitution was presented by?:: 

4. In James Madison’s tenth Federalist , the most dangerous threat to the U.S. Constitution was presented by?: The president’s war powers. The Supreme Court. Factions. A standing army. Freedom of speech.

5. The 3/5 Compromise of the Constitutional Convention of 1787 provided that?:: 

5. The 3/5 Compromise of the Constitutional Convention of 1787 provided that?: For purposes of representation and taxation, the votes of three free men were equal to those of five slaves. The votes of 3/5 of the southern states would be needed to pass any federal legislation affecting slavery. For purposes of representation and taxation, five slaves would be counted as three free persons. The votes of 3/5 of the southern states would be needed to pass any federal legislation affecting representation or taxation. For purposes of taxation, the numbers of slaves in a state would be counted once they had exceeded 3/5 of the free population.

“sole and express purpose of revising the Art. Of Confederation.”: 

“sole and express purpose of revising the Art. Of Confederation.” 55 delegates from 12 states (RI was absent) Sessions closed to the public Nearly all delegates were well-educated, prosperous men of property GW - President of convention JM - “Father of the Constitution” BF - moderating influence JA / TJ - serving as diplomats (absent) *MAIN ISSUE: Stronger central govt. Philadelphia Convention (Summer of 1787)

Key Terms: 

Key Terms Confederation - Loose union of independent states (“13 Little Nations”) Republic - System of government in which people choose representatives who govern them. Democracy - System of government by the people. Federalism - The sharing of power between a national (federal) govt. and the states (with the national govt. as sovereign).

A. Representation (“Control”): 

A. Representation (“Control”) VA PLAN - “Large states plan” -New govt. with 3 branches -Representation based on population (bicameral Congress) -Congress chooses a national executive and judiciary -Create new constitution NJ PLAN - “Small states plan” -Revise Articles -Retain equal representation for all states in Congress (unicameral Congress) -Plural executive appoints “supreme tribunal” National vs. State Powers: VA Plan: Strong NJ Plan: Weak CT Compromise: *“The Great Compromise” -2-house Congress in which the larger, lower house (H.O.R) membership was based on pop. and smaller, upper house (Senate) with equal representation I. Problems & Compromises

B. Slavery: 

B. Slavery South wants: -1/2 million slaves -slaves counted for representation but not direct taxation North wants: -slaves counted for direct taxation but not for representation 3/5s Compromise: -All “free persons” and “3/5 of all other persons” should be counted for purposes of representation and taxation

C. Commerce: 

C. Commerce South wants: -Feared allowing national govt. power to levy tariffs on exports -Could destroy their economy North wants: -Desired tariff on imports for protection of industry -Would force Americans to buy northern products Tariff Compromise: -National govt. had power to tax imports but not exports (SOUTH +) -Foreign slave trade would be banned in 20 years (NORTH +)

D. Presidential Elections: 

D. Presidential Elections President elected by Congress OR by the People -Most delegates feared an uneducated, uninformed populous selecting a good president Electoral College Compromise -People vote for electors -Electors act as a check on people’s choice and gives some power to smaller states with low pop. -Each state has electors equal to members in H.O.R. and Senate (min. 3)

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After 17 weeks all but 3 of the 42 delegates still present signed the Constitution At this point, the Constitution was sent to the states for ratification It would go into effect when 2/3s (9 out of 13 states approved “AN EMPIRE OF REASON” New York State Ratification Convention RATIFICATION!!!