The Articles of ConfederationThe Articles of Confederation

Continental Congress

• Had no real power

• Called upon as an emergency resource, meant to be temporary

• After Declaration, they needed to invent a more permanent government.

Articles of Confederation

• 17 months of writing

• Approved on Nov. 15, 1777

• Established a “firm league of friendship” between states– Only came together for mutual defense and

general welfare

• Ratified by all 13 states by March 1, 1781

Government Structure• I. Government structure• A. Congress is the sole body• 1. delegates elected yearly by state

legislature• B. States have only 1 vote• C. No executive or judicial branches• 1. Congress absorbs those duties• D. Yearly, Congress elects the presiding

officer (chairman)• 1. THIS IS NOT THE PRESIDENT OF THE

UNITED STATES

Powers of Congress• II. Powers of Congress• A. Make war and peace• B. Send and receive ambassadors• C. Make treaties• D. Borrow money from other governments or

states• E. Set up a money system• F. Establish post offices, appoint civil officers• G. Establish Navy & Army by asking states for

troops• H. Set uniform standards of weights and

measures• I. Settle State disputes

State Obligations• III. State Obligations• A. By signing (agreeing) with Articles, states pledged:• 1. to obey Articles and acts of Congress• 2. to provide troops and funds if requested by

Congress• 3. to treat citizens of other states as fair and

equally as their own• 4. to give full faith and credit to public acts, records and

judicial proceedings in every other state• 5. to surrender fugitives from justice to each other

(states)• 6. to submit disputes to Congress• 7. to allow open travel between states• B. States responsible for general welfare of their

citizens, as well as protecting life and property

Weaknesses• IV. Weaknesses• A. Can’t tax• 1. can only borrow money from states or

countries• 2. no making money, always in debt• B. Can’t regulate trade between states• C. Can’t make states obey the Articles• 1. troops are from various individual states,

not Congress• D. Can only exercise its powers with 9 of 13

states giving consent• E. Articles only changed with unanimous

consent• 1. impossible, never happens

• G. Washington statement:

• “We are one nation today and 13 tomorrow. Who will treat with us on such terms.”

• What does that mean? Why did he say this?”