Articles of Confederation

Background 13 states were starting to write their own

constitutions Congress was drawing up its own blueprint for

a national government In 1776, people felt more loyalty to their own

states than to a nation The states seemed unwilling to turn power

over to the national government

Articles of Confederation

November 15, 1777 – Continental Congress completed and passed the Articles

Proposed that it go into effect after every state had approved it

1781 – All states finally ratify the Articles

Land Claim Issues

However, there were again land disputes based upon colonial charters

Claims often overlapped 6 States (Maine, New Hampshire,

Pennsylvania, New Jersey, Delaware, and Maryland) without western claims argued it should be public land belonging to the national government

Ratified????

Most states ratified the Articles Maryland - would not ratify it until all

lands between the Appalachian Mountains and the Mississippi River became public land

Virginia – (huge land claims) present-day states of Kentucky, West Virginia, Ohio, Indiana, Illinois, Michigan, and Wisconsin – refused to comply

Too powerful????

Ratified

1778 – Virginia (the only state to ratify by the deadline

1781 – Maryland (the last state) ratify the Articles

Articles become the first constitution of the United States

Main author – John Dickinson Loose alliance of states rather than a strong,

central government Writers feared a strong central government

– why????

Powers/Rights

Each state had one vote Powers included:

Declaring war Raising an army and navy Making treaties Borrowing Money Establishing a postal system Conducting business with Native Americans

and other countries

Weaknesses of the Articles

National government was much weaker than the state governments

Had no authority over individual citizens and very little control over state governments

Could make laws, but the writers provided no measures to carry out those laws (Articles left it to the states to enforce laws passed by Congress)

Made no provision for a court system (if the states disagreed, they had no place to resolve their differences)

Weaknesses (cont.)

Every state could send delegates to Congress, but each state (whatever its size) had only one vote

Larger states viewed this as unfair Congress held powers to war and peace,

however, they didn’t have the power to collect taxes……..so……..

No requirement of the states to send money

Known as a “shadow without substance”

3-2-1

3 – Weaknesses of the Articles of Confederation

2 – last two states to ratify the Articles of Confederation

1 – Power of the Articles of Confederation