Articles of Confederation vs Constitution

1781-1789

Confederacy: State Governments control Central Government
The Articles of Confederation was the governing document of the US before the Constitution


The war was not yet officially over

The Articles of Confederation Section

Prepare to respond without the textbook to
1) the powers of the central government
2) problems with the Articles without the Textbook

Confederacy

1. The Central Government is subordinate to the State Governments

2. Central Government is made up of a congress which can

   1. deal with certain foreign affairs

   2. borrow money

   3. regulate value of currency

   4. Declare or end war

   5. raise an army

   6. Mediate and settle disputes between states

Problems with the Articles

1) Incredibly difficult to pass anything - 9 out of 13 vote
2) The Central Government didn't have much ability to do anything
3) Congress couldn't raise taxes

Presidents of the US

• John Hanson

• Elias Boudinot

• Thomas Mifflin

• Richard Henry Lee

• John Hancock

• Nathaniel Gorham

• Arthur St. Clair

• Cyrus Griffin

Problems with the Articles

1) Incredibly difficult to pass anything - 9 out of 13 vote
2) The Central Government didn't have much ability to do anything
3) Congress couldn't raise taxes

1781

In 1781 General Cornwallis (British) lost a major defeat at Yorktown

Scattered Battles continued for the next year, but the war was essentially lost for the British

1783 - War officially over

England recognized the 13 Independent States

Still governed under the Articles of Confederation by the Continental Congress

1783 - War officially over

England recognized the 13 Independent States

Still governed under the Articles of Confederation by the Continental Congress