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Articles of Confederation

Our Objective: We want to identify the purpose, advantages, and challenges of the Articles of Confederation

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5 W’s of the Articles of Confederation

What -A document explaining the new government structure and powers

When- Created in 1776 but was not approved/ratified until 1781

Who- A Committee of founding father members created the document, but the main author was John Dickinson

Where- Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

Why- In order to have a functioning government, this document explained the powers of each state government and the federal government, they wanted something different from England

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What is a confederation?

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A group of individual state governments that unite for a common purpose

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What powers do you think are important for a government to have?

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National Powers

  • Declare War
  • Create Treaties
  • Could only request money from states
  • Control military
  • Could settle state disputes

What powers can the national government still do today?

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State Powers

  • Taxation
  • Established a court system
  • Enforce Laws passed in Congress
  • Had more powers than national government
  • Could trade freely

What powers can states still do today?

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Strengths and Achievements of the Articles of Confederation

Objective: We want to know what positive parts and accomplishments were achieved under the Articles of Confederation

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MAJOR ACCOMPLISHMENT

NORTHWEST ORDINANCE OF 1787

NORTHWEST ORDINANCE DEALT WITH UNSETTLED LAND IN THE TERRITORY NORTH AND WEST OF THE OHIO RIVER

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Can you name any of these states?

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5 W’s of Northwest Ordinance

Who: Congress of Articles of Confederation (Main Author- Thomas Jefferson)

What: Established important governing rules for future lands settled north and west of the Ohio River

When: July 13, 1787

Where: Involved Midwestern states of the USA (Ohio, Michigan, Wisconsin, Indiana, Illinois)

Why: Americans needed to know what rules, boundaries, and governance was necessary in new territories

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  1. Established a Government Framework
  • Set up a different government from England
  • Designed to protect states rights
  • Limited Central Government Powers

Why would the US want a government structure different from England?

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2) First Constitution of the USA

  • United the States under a common set of laws and shared powers
  • Powers were split between states and the nation

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3) Foreign Affairs

^ Allowed Congress to work with other countries

^ Able to negotiate treaties and consult with diplomats was done effectively

^ Signed the Treaty of Paris in 1783

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4) States remained independent

  • Allowed each state the freedom to govern themselves
  • Developed a friendship and common respect among the states
  • Accepted differences between the states

What might be one problem if states were too free and independent from one another?

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5) Settled Disputes and Land Expansion

> Congress had the ability to resolve issues between states

> Helped create ideas on how to govern land unsettled yet