Articles of Confederation

University:
University of Bath
Course:
SL30046 | Biological Ethics
Academic year:

2014
Views:

352

Pages:

3
Author:

Mika mika

Articles of Confederation Summary The Articles of Confederation were created during the Revolutionary War as the first plan of government, to unite the newly independent states under a loose alliance. The importance lies in showing the early challenges of self-gov and revealing the need for a stronger constitution. Goes over: - War, Diplomacy, Territory Strengths vs. Weaknesses The Northwest Territory (Strength) - Organized way to expand and add new states - Outlawed slavery - wanted fairness The Continental Army (Weakness) - Needed supplies + soldiers - Cannot draft soldiers - Starved and died Taxes (Weakness) - Congress could not collect taxes - Unable to pay for troops The Revolutionary War (Strength) - Could declare war - Conduct foreign affairs & treaties - Possible to win the Revolutionary War Government Structure (Weakness) - Only one branch - No president or courts - Too weak to enforce laws Lawmaking Process (Weakness) - - - - Needed 9 of 13 states to vote yes State reps did not show up to meetings Very difficult to change Arguing Trade (Weakness) - Only states could impose tariffs (tax imposed by country on goods) - Had to make separate agreements with each state Representation (Weakness) - Congress as a one-house body - Wanted the number of votes to represent the # of people living in the area. Shay’s Rebellion Shays’ Rebellion was an uprising of Massachusetts farmers in 1786–1787 who were They shut down courts to stop their farms from being taken and tried to seize a federal weapons arsenal. The rebellion showed how angry about heavy taxes and debt. weak the Articles of Confederation ere because the national government couldn’t step in to stop the crisis.