The Critical Period

Chapter 2 Section 3

Today’s Agenda

• Warm-up: Study for Section 2 Quiz

• Notes on Section 3

• Homework

The Articles of Confederation

• Established “a firm league of friendship”

• Each state kept “its sovereignty, freedom, and independence.”

• Came together for “their common defense, the security of their Liberties, and their mutual and general welfare.

The Articles of Confederation

• November 15, 1777, the delegates approved this plan of government.

• The ratification, or formal approval, of each of the 13 states was needed.

• Maryland finally ratified on March 1, 1781 – the Second Continental Congress declared the Articles effective on that date.

http://www.izaak.unh.edu/dlp/Stark/StarkGallery/images/STK1777_U58.jpg

Government Structure

• Unicameral Congress with delegates chosen yearly

• Each state one vote• No executive or judicial branch• Congress chose a member to be its

President yearly – presiding officer no the President of the United States

Powers of Congress

• Make war and peace

• Send and receive ambassadors

• Make treaties

• Borrow money

• Set up a money system

• Establish post offices

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Powers of Congress

• Build a navy

• Raise an army by asking states for troops

• Fix uniform standards of weights and measures

• Settle disputes between states

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State Obligations

• Provide funds and troops requested by the Congress

• Treat citizens of other states fairly and equally

• Give full faith and credit to the public acts, records, and judicial proceedings of every other state

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State Obligations

• Surrender fugitives to one another

• Submit disputes to Congress for settlement

• Allow open trade and travel among states

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State Obligations

• States retained any powers not explicitly given to Congress.

• States were responsible for promoting life and property and “the safety and happiness of the people.”

Weaknesses

• No power to tax (raise money by borrowing and asking states for funds)

• No power to regulate foreign or interstate trade

• No power to make states obey the Articles of Confederation or the laws it made – no executive branch to enforce

• Required the consent of 9 of 13 states to exercise any power

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Weaknesses

• All 13 states legislatures had to consent to any changes in the Articles – not one amendment was ever added

• One vote per state regardless of size

• No national court system

The 1780’s

• The Revolutionary war ended on October 19th, 1781.

• The Treaty of Paris was signed in 1783• Peace brought the weaknesses of the Articles

to the surface.• States bickered, taxing each other and

banning trade.

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The 1780’s

• Many states acted without Congress’ approval.

• Violence broke out in many places.• Shay’s Rebellion - 1786 Daniel Shays

led uprising that forced the Massachusetts Supreme Court to close (upset about economic conditions)

Need for Stronger Government

• Mount Vernon – successful negotiations between Maryland and Virginia that lead to a “meeting of all states to consider a plan for regulating commerce.”

Need for Stronger Government

• Joint meeting – September 11, 1786 – only 5 states attended. Call for another meeting.

• Congress calls on all states to send a delegate to Philadelphia “for the sole and expressed purpose of revising the Articles of Confederation.

Need for Stronger Government

• May 25, 1778 – Meeting in Philadelphia becomes the Constitutional Convention.

• Began the establishment of a new government for the United States.