Articles of Confederation

• After declaring Independence, the colonies needed a national government.

• Congress agreed that the government should be a republic (the government is controlled by the people) and avoid tyranny.

• Delegates disagreed, however, about whether each state should have one vote or voting should be based on population.

• They also disagreed about who should control the Northwest Territory - the land west of the Appalachians.

​The Articles of Confederation

​

• They eventually arrived at a plan called the Articles of Confederation.

• This plan for a new government was written by representatives from the colonies in 1777 and ratified in 1781.

• This plan called for a national government to be run by a legislative body known as the Confederation Congress.

• Congress had some powers, but the Articles left most of the important powers to the states.

​The Articles of Confederation

​Strengths of the New Government

• Brought the 13 states together and created a common legislature.

• Encouraged democracy by empowering the states and not allowing an oppressive form of government to form.

• Had the power to declare war, appoint military leaders, and make treaties with foreign powers.

• Established departments to oversee necessary business between states, such as mail delivery.

• Ensured that citizens traveling from one state to another had the same rights.
  

• Created the Northwest Ordinance of 1787 - resolved disputed land claims between states and for governing new territories.

Strengths of the New Government

• Brought the 13 states together and created a common legislature.

• Encouraged democracy by empowering the states and not allowing an oppressive form of government to form.

• Had the power to declare war, appoint military leaders, and make treaties with foreign powers.

• Established departments to oversee necessary business between states, such as mail delivery.

• Ensured that citizens traveling from one state to another had the same rights.

• Created the Northwest Ordinance of 1787 - resolved disputed land claims between states and for governing new territories.

Weaknesses of the New Government

• There was no strong national government. (The states had a lot of power, but couldn’t agree on anything.)

• There was no leader to control the government.

• No power to establish an army. Many of the states did not want an army bossing them around, but what if another country attacked them?

• Congress could not collect taxes - no way to pay for wartime debts.

• Congress could make laws, but couldn’t force the states to obey them.

• Each state had one vote. (Not fair to states with larger populations.)

• Congress could not make laws about trade. (Need fair trade laws as a country.