The document summarizes the key aspects of government under the Articles of Confederation, including that it established a unicameral Congress with each state getting one vote and no executive or judicial branches. It also describes the weaknesses of the Articles, such as Congress not having the power to tax or regulate trade between states, which led to conflicts between states and the need to draft a new Constitution.

1. U.S. Government
Chapter 2 – Section 3

2.  Articles of Confederation
 Ratification
 Presiding Officer

3.  Section Objectives:
 Describe the structure of government set up under the
Articles of Confederation (AoC)
 Explain why the weaknesses of the Articles led to the
Critical Period for the government in the 1780’s
 Describe how a growing need for a stronger national
government let to plans for a Constitutional
Convention.
 4.3 Understand the basic features of major forms
of government in the world.

4. The Articles of Confederation
National Archives
Washington D.C.

5.  First attempt to create a lasting govt. for the
new nation.
 Approved on Nov. 15, 1777
 Articles of Confederation established a “firm
league of friendship” among the states.
 Each state kept its sovereignty, freedom, and
independence.

6.  Under to AoC, states would come together
for common defense.
 The Articles did not go into immediate effect.
 Ratification was needed first. (formal approval)
 11 states agreed during the first year

7.  Congress was the sole body.
 Unicameral
 Each state had one vote in Congress regardless
of its population or size
 Congress was made up of delegates from each
state.

8.  Each year Congress would choose one of its
members as its president. Presiding officer
(chair).
 The AoC did not establish an executive or
judicial branch
 All functions were handled by the Congress in
committees

9.  Make war and peace
 Send and receive ambassadors
 Make treaties
 Borrow money
 Set up a money system
 Est. post offices
 Build a navy

10.  By agreeing to the AoC, states agreed to:
 Obey the AoC
 Provide funds and troops requested by Congress
 Treat other states’ citizens fairly
 Give full faith (agree to) and credit to the public
acts, records, and court rulings from other states.
 Surrender frugitives
 Submit disputes to Congress for settlement
 Allow open travel among states

11.  At first glance, the powers of Congress seem
to be considerable
 Several important factors were missing though.
 The weaknesses of the Articles proved them
to be inadequate and overall ineffective

12.  Congress did not have the power to tax
 They could only borrow by asking states for funds.
 Congress did not have the power to regulate trade
among states.
 Lacked the power to force states to obey the AoC
 Congress only had power when 9 of 13 agreed.
 Articles could only be changed with the consent of
all 13 states.
 This was impossible and not one amendment was ever
added to the articles.

13.  Revolutionary War ended with the signing of the Treaty
of Paris in 1781.
 Weaknesses of the AoC soon surfaced
 States grew jealous and suspicious of each other.
 Several made agreements with foreign gov’ts without
approval of Congress
 States taxed one another’s goods.
 Printed their own money.
 Raised their own military
 Debts went unpaid. Violence broke out.

14.  Shay’s Rebellion- rebellion led by Daniel Shays that lead
several state judges to close their courts.
 The following year Shays let an unsuccessful attack on a
federal arsenal.
 Result: Mass. Legislature passed laws to ease burdens
of debtors.

15.  George Washington was referring to foreign affairs
when he complained, “We are one nation today,
thirteen tomorrow. Who will treat with us on such
terms?”
 What did Washington fear would happen?
 Do you agree with his point of view? Why or why not?

16.  In 1785 Maryland and Virginia agreed to a
conference on their trade problems.
 Held at Mount Vernon (Washington’s home)
 This proved to be a successful conference
 After this meeting it was decided to hold
another conference with all states attending.
 That meeting would be the Annapolis meeting.

17. Mount Vernon
Home of George Washington
Fairfax Co., VA

18. Mount Vernon

19.  Annapolis meeting held in 1786
 Turnout was not good
 Only 5 states showed up
 Still hopeful, they called for another meeting to
be held in Philadelphia in 1787
 That meeting became the Philadelphia
Convention
 a.k.a. The Constitutional Convention

20.  What weaknesses in the Articles of
Confederation made a lasting government
impossible? Name at least three.

21.  Under the Articles of Confederation, was
congress bicameral of unicameral?

22.  Established a “firm league of friendship”
among the states.
 A. Declaration of Independence
 B. Articles of Confederation
 C. Preamble

23.  A formal approval is called _____________.
 A. Ratification
 B. Preside
 C. Agreement

24.  Which of the following is NOT a power of
Congress under the Articles of Confederation?
 A. Make treaties
 B. Borrow money
 C. Tax

25.  There were 2 amendments added to the
Articles:
 A. True
 B. False