Transcript articles of confederation regents

Aim: To Argue whether or not
the Articles of Confederation
were a Success or Failure?
Do Now: Complete the document on
the next slide in complete sentences
in your notebook.
Do Now
“The Continental Congress adopted the Articles of Confederation, the
first constitution of the United States, on November 15, 1777. However,
ratification of the Articles of Confederation by all thirteen states did not
occur until March 1, 1781. The Articles created a loose confederation of
sovereign states and a weak central government, leaving most of the
power with the state governments. The need for a stronger Federal
government soon became apparent and eventually led to the
Constitutional Convention in 1787. The present United States
Constitution replaced the Articles of Confederation on March 4, 1789.”
~ loc.gov
Questions:
Four Significant facts about the Articles of Confederation are:
2
The Articles of Confederation
America’s 1st Constitution 1781-1789
The first system of government
designed by the Founding Fathers was
a Confederation. Under a Confederate
system, the National or Central
Government is given only a few powers,
while most of the power is reserved for
the States.
The Articles of Confederation
America’s 1st Constitution 1781-1789
The Articles had 2 major
achievements:
1)Bringing the Revolutionary War
to a successful conclusion
2) North West Ordinance (plan for
governing the western lands)
The Articles of Confederation
America’s 1st Constitution 1781-1789
Congress was given
the power to:
Declare War &
Establish an
Army/Navy
No Power to
Draft Soldiers
The Articles of Confederation
America’s 1st Constitution 1781-1789
Congress was given
the power to:
Make Peace &
Sign Treaties
No Power to
Enforce Treaties
The Articles of Confederation
America’s 1st Constitution 1781-1789
Congress was given
the power to:
Borrow Money
No Power to
Collect Taxes
from the States
The Articles of Confederation
America’s 1st Constitution 1781-1789
Congress was given
the power to:
Organize a
Post Office
The Articles of Confederation
America’s 1st Constitution 1781-1789
Congress was given
the power to:
No Chief Executive
No national court system
No Power to Regulate
Interstate Commerce
No National Currency
Difficult to Pass laws
(2/3 vote)
The Articles of Confederation
America’s 1st Constitution 1781-1789
Congress was given
the power to:
Difficult to
Amend
(unanimous vote
needed to change the
articles)
The Articles of Confederation
• Congress given the •
•
power to:
•
• Declare War
•
• Make Peace
•
• Sign Treaties
•
• Borrow Money
• Establish an Army & •
•
Navy
•
• Organize a Post
•
Office
No Chief Executive
No National Court System
No Power to Draft Soldiers
No Power to Control Interstate
Commerce
No Power to Enforce Treaties
No Power to Collect Taxes from
the States
Difficult to Pass Laws (2/3 vote)
No National Currency
Difficult to Amend
(Unanimous Vote Needed to
Change Articles)
Conclusion
Why did the Founding Fathers
Choose a Confederation plan
of government?
They feared that a strong central
government would create tyranny,
and stamp out the peoples natural
God given rights.
Conclusion
Why Did the Founding Fathers
believe the Articles needed to be
replaced by the US Constitution?
The nation needed to function as
ONE united country & not 13
small unorganized nations.
Shay’s rebellion proved the need
to strengthen the government.
Essential Questions / Enduring
Understandings:
1. During what time period did the Articles of Confederation exist?
2. What are the main defining characteristics of the Articles of
Confederation?
3. What are the Articles of Confederation’s strengths and
weaknesses?
4. How would you rate the overall effectiveness of the Articles of
Confederation?
5. What major characteristics of the Articles of Confederation resulted
in its demise and inspired the framers to create the Constitution?
6. Argue whether or not the Articles of Confederation were a success
or failure? What is your rational or reasoning. Be specific.
Critics of the Articles of Confederation
argued that it
(1) imposed unfair taxes on the states
(2) used a draft to raise a national army
(3) provided a strong system of federal
courts
(4) placed too much power in the hands
of the states
The primary purpose of the Articles of
Confederation was to
(1) provide revenues for the national
government
(2) establish the basic framework of the
national government
(3) give the national government the
power to regulate interstate commerce
(4) guarantee a bill of rights to protect
citizens from the national government