5.1 Articles of Confederation

MAIN IDEA Americans adopted the Articles of Confederation but find the new government too weak to solve the nation ’ s problems.

WHY IT MATTERS NOW

The weaknesses of the Articles of Confederation led to the writing of the Constitution.

CA Standards

• • •

8.2.2 Analyze

the Articles of Confederation and the Constitution and the success of each in implementing the ideals of the Declaration of the Independence.

8.3.1 Analyze

the principles and concepts codified in state constitution between 1777 and 1781 that created the context out of which American political institutions and ideas developed.

8.3.2 Explain

how 1787 the ordinances of 1785 and privatized national resources and transferred federally owned lands into private holdings, townships, and states.

•

8.3.5 Know

the significance of domestic resistance movement and ways in which the central government responded to such movement (e.g., Shay ’ s Rebellion, the Whiskey Rebellion).

•

8.9.3 Describe

the significance of the Northwest Ordinance in education and in the banning of slavery in the new states north of the Ohio River.

Daily Guided Questions DGQs

1. Why did many states ’ new constitutions include a bill of rights?

2. What were the strengths and weakness of the government under the Articles of Confederation?

3. How did Shay ’s Rebellion prove the weakness of the government under the Articles of Confederation?

Colonies to States

• Self-governing -allegiance to their colony.

-continues when they become states.

State Constitutions

• Constitution, a document stating the rules under which a government will operate.

• Limits the power of leaders.

• Guarantee specific rights ; stress liberty, not equality.

-Only white males can vote; sometimes have to own property.

Protecting Rights

• Virginia Bill of Rights -Protected freedoms/individual rights -Religion -Press -Limits on Arrest -Limits searches -Trial by Jury -No cruel or unusual punishments

Reflect and Share

• Take a minute to answer the first DGQ.

• Then share the answer with your partner.

• Add/Change your answer.

1. Why did many states ’ new constitutions include a bill of rights?

Primary Source pg. 618

• Turn to pg. 618.

• Read Thomas Jefferson,

Virginia Statute for Religious Freedom.

• Answer the three questions at the end.

• For the third questions go to page 114.

Answers

1.

“Civil rights have no dependence on our religious opinions…” it shouldn’t affect it.

2. Freedom to worship is a right that no government can take away.

3. The First Amendment allows for freedom of religion.

Articles of Confederation, 1777

• Alliance between the thirteen colonies -Help win the war and create treaty.

• Placed limits on government to prevent abuses of power -No executive branch (No President) -No judicial branch (No Supreme Court) -No central government or national unity, separate states -Each state had one vote , regardless of pop.

Limited Central Government

• Dealing with foreign nations and Native Americans.

-Declare war, but couldn ’t raise an army.

• Congress couldn ’ t enact or collect taxes, states only.

-Couldn ’t regulate trade.

-Had to borrow money from the states.

• Articles could be amended only if all states approve them -Nine out of thirteen states could pass important laws -Couldn ’ t enforce the laws it passed.

Reflect and Share

• Take a minute to answer the second DGQ.

• Then share the answer with your partner.

• Add/Change your answer.

2. What were the strengths and weakness of the government under the Articles of Confederation?

Western Lands

• States had to give up claims to western territories. •

Land Ordinance of 1785

-Creates plan for surveying and selling western lands.

-Set up townships -Sections for schools

Northwest Ordinance of 1787

• Plan for creating territories and statehood.

-Set up basic rights.

-Banned slavery.

-Set up basic government.

-pop. 60,000 could apply for statehood.

National Problems

• Lack of unity.

• Economic depression • Huge war debt.

-Domestic and foreign.

• Creditors favor high taxes.

-Farmers lose land and livestock.

• Currency, more or less?

Foreign Relations Problems

• Don ’ t pay debts to British merchants.

-British won ’ t leave forts on Great Lakes.

• 1784, Spain close Mississippi river.

-Westerners can ’ t ship crops east.

• Congress unable to resolve problems.

Shay

’

s Rebellion

• Proved weakness of A.o.Confederation.

• 1786-1787, Daniel Shay organizes farmers.

-Farmers are losing farms.

• G. Washington calls for a stronger national government.

Reflect and Share

• Take a minute to answer the third DGQ.

• Then share the answer with your partner.

• Add/Change your answer.

3. How did Shay ’s Rebellion prove the weakness of the government under the Articles of Confederation?

WHAT/WHY IMPORTANT/AS A RESULT • Define the following vocabulary words using the What/Why Important/ As A Result format.

1.Constitution

2.Bill of Rights 3.Executive

Study Guide pg. 36

• Copy and complete the above study guide.

• Use your notes and textbook pages 78-85 to complete it.