UNIT 3 : The Start of a - PowerPoint Presentation

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UNIT 3: The Start of a New Nation!

Aim: Did the strengths of the Articles of Confederation outweigh the weaknesses?

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The Articles of Confederation

During the Revolution, the new United States needed a functioning government

It was

URGENT

!

You are John Hancock, President of the Second Continental Congress. One MINOR issue is that you have 13 NEWLY INDEPENDENT STATES in America

…

do you

:

Give them power to rule themselves individually like they want?

Have a central government rule over them, but give them some wiggle room to rule themselves at the same time?

1777-

John Dickinson drafts the Articles of Confederation

= the

FIRST

United States constitution

While the Declaration of Independence was being drafted

…

The New Structure of Government

Central gov’t –

ONE BODY (UNICAMERAL)

=

CONGRESS

Each state –

ONE VOTE (9 of 13 majority)

Amend the Articles? UNANIMOUS VOTE

Most of the power was held by the

state governments

, NOT the

national gov

’

t

, so the power was

“

decentralized”

DRAWBACKS??

What experiences during the colonial period would have caused Americans to fear big government?

Why not give more power to the national government INSTEAD?

The states feared a centralized government would limit their rights, and possibly lead to a dictator or king!

What do the Articles say?“In determining questions in the united States, in Congress assembled, each State shall have one vote.”“The committee of the States, or any nine of them, shall be authorized to execute, in the recess of congress, such of the powers of congress as the united States in congress assembled, by the consent of the nine States”Regardless of population, all states have ONE vote. To pass laws, 9 of 13 states are required (2/3)

“League of Friendship”

***What are the benefits of friendships?

Are there any downsides to friendships?

What do the Articles say?“The said States hereby severally enter into a firm league of friendship with each other, for their common defense, the security of their liberties, and their mutual and general welfare, binding themselves to assist each other, against all force offered to, or attacks made upon them…”Loosely connected states under WEAK nation gov’tUnified for DEFENSE13 separate countries with a defense alliance

REGENTS PRACTICE

The authors of the Articles of Confederation established a decentralized political system mainly to

cancel state debts incurred during the Revolutionary War

assist the southern states in their efforts to gain a manufacturing base

promote the common goal of national sovereignty

prevent the abuses of power that had existed under British rule

REMEMBER

REMEMBER

Congressional Powers Under the Articles

Congress

COULD

:

Wage WAR!

Make treaties

Send diplomatic representatives

Borrow money

Congress

COULD NOT

:

Regulate commerce

Collect taxes (each state did)

Enforce laws

How did the Articles deal with Western lands?Northwest Ordinance of 1787 (a LAW)Outlaws slavery in this regionSystem for territories to become states Considered the most important ACCOMPLISHMENT of the Articles!

REGENTS PRACTICE

What was an important accomplishment of the central government under the Articles of Confederation?

elimination of debts from the Revolutionary War

removal of all British troops from North America

formation of a national policy relating to Native American Indians

development of guidelines for the admission of new states into the Union