Articles of Confederation
- History
o John Dickinson of Pennsylvania led the committee to draft the Articles
§ But his original ideas of a strong central government were not accepted
o After more than a year of debating, the Congress adopted the Articles of Confederation
o All 13 Colonies ratified the Articles by the year 1781
- Structure
o Provided little more than…
§ Legitimacy to the Continental Congress
§ Enough power to wage war
o The Confederation was a loose organizing of the 13 States
o Each state retained full sovereignty
§ “Each State retains its sovereignty, freedom and independence”
–The Articles of Confederation
o The legislative was the only branch of the Central Government
§ Unicameral:
o The Legislature was only one house "congress"
§ A body of representatives from the 13 States
§ States could elect two to seven representatives
§ But, each State only received 1 vote
§ Important decisions had to be agreed upon by 9 States
§ Amending the Articles had to be unanimous -all 13 States
o The Chief Executive
§ Was chosen by the legislature
§ Was wholly subordinate to the Congress
§ Practically powerless
- Strengths
§ The Confederation forced Britain to recognize American independence
§ Gave the infant nation respect among the other nations
§ At the same time, the disunity of the Confederation did not allow The United States to uphold the Treaty
o Land Ordinances
§ Provided the dividing, distributing and settling of the North West Territory
o North of the Ohio and East of the Mississippi
§ Divided the land into Townships
§ Provided for the admittance of new states into the Union
§ Declared that all States added from this Territory would be added as Free States
§ “Continental Dollars”
o Hard Money (Silver & Gold) were rare
o So, the Confederation printed paper money
o They printed too much and it became devalued and soon became almost completely worthless
o This is where the phrase “Not worth a Continental” comes from
§ Each State was able to print its own currency
§ The Central Government was unable to tax the States
o The right to tax was reserved for the States
o The Central Government could “request” money, which it was usually denied.
o The Congress proposed amendments to the Articles to establish an income tax, but it was refused
§ Trade:
o States were permitted to levy heavy taxes on goods from other States to protect in-state trade.
o Domestic Affairs
§ Varying currencies, varying tariffs, inability to tax and the lack of a National army caused confusion and uprisings
§ The U.S. was hardly able to keep peace in its own borders
§ The Newburgh Conspiracy
o Officers of the Continental Army (who had served in the Revolution) were angry
o They hadn’t received payment for years
o The officers planned to meet in Newburgh to discuss their grievances
o George Washington spoke before them and quelled their frustrations
§ Shay’s Rebellion
o An uprising of farmers in Eastern Massachusetts
o Many of the farmers were jailed for not paying debts
o Others took up arms and attempted to seize the weapons arsenal
o They were soon crushed by the militia
§ Provided for the admittance of new states into the Union
§ Declared that all States added from this Territory would be added as Free States
- Weaknesses
§ “Continental Dollars”
o Hard Money (Silver & Gold) were rare
o So, the Confederation printed paper money
o They printed too much and it became devalued and soon became almost completely worthless
o This is where the phrase “Not worth a Continental” comes from
§ Each State was able to print its own currency
§ The Central Government was unable to tax the States
o The right to tax was reserved for the States
o The Central Government could “request” money, which it was usually denied.
o The Congress proposed amendments to the Articles to establish an income tax, but it was refused
§ Trade:
o States were permitted to levy heavy taxes on goods from other States to protect in-state trade.
o Domestic Affairs
§ Varying currencies, varying tariffs, inability to tax and the lack of a National army caused confusion and uprisings
§ The U.S. was hardly able to keep peace in its own borders
§ The Newburgh Conspiracy
o Officers of the Continental Army (who had served in the Revolution) were angry
o They hadn’t received payment for years
o The officers planned to meet in Newburgh to discuss their grievances
o George Washington spoke before them and quelled their frustrations
§ Shay’s Rebellion
o An uprising of farmers in Eastern Massachusetts
o Many of the farmers were jailed for not paying debts
o Others took up arms and attempted to seize the weapons arsenal
o They were soon crushed by the militia