1. The Articles of Confederation
America’s 1st Constitution 1781-1789
The first system of government
designed by the Founding Fathers was
a Confederation. Under a Confederate
system, the National or Central
Government is given only a few powers,
while most of the power is reserved for
the States.
Why did the Founding Fathers
Choose a Confederation plan of
government?
2. The Articles of Confederation
America’s 1st Constitution 1781-1789
The Articles had 2 major
achievements:
1)Bringing the Revolutionary War
to a successful conclusion
2) Provided a the first government
for a new country
3. Break it Down
• Articles of Confederation
Articles = sections of a written document, rules written
down
4. Break it Down
• Articles of Confederation
• Confederation …. Let’s take a closer look!
10. The Articles of Confederation
Congress was given
the power to:
America’s 1st Constitution 1781-1789
Declare War &
Establish an
Army/Navy
No Power to
Draft Soldiers
11. The Articles of Confederation
Congress was given
the power to:
America’s 1st Constitution 1781-1789
Make Peace &
Sign Treaties
No Power to
Enforce Treaties
12. The Articles of Confederation
Congress was given
the power to:
America’s 1st Constitution 1781-1789
Borrow Money No Power to
Collect Taxes
from the States
13. The Articles of Confederation
Congress was given
the power to:
America’s 1st Constitution 1781-1789
Organize a
Post Office
14. The Articles of Confederation
Congress was given
the power to:
America’s 1st Constitution 1781-1789
No Chief Executive
No national court system
No Power to Regulate
Interstate Commerce
No National Currency
Difficult to Pass laws
(2/3 vote)
15. The Articles of Confederation
Congress was given
the power to:
America’s 1st Constitution 1781-1789
Difficult to
Amend
(unanimous vote
needed to change the
articles)
16. Conclusion
They feared that a strong central
government would create tyranny,
and stamp out the peoples natural
God given rights.
Why did the Founding Fathers
Choose a Confederation plan
of government?
17. Conclusion
Why Did the Founding Fathers
believe the Articles needed to be
replaced by the US Constitution?
The nation needed to function as
ONE united country & not 13
small unorganized nations.
Shay’s rebellion proved the need
to strengthen the government.
Editor's Notes
A Confederation is an alliance, association, or league in which independent states in our case, retain distinction and sovereignty but delegate the same powers and rights to a central body. Central government remains subordinate to the entities.
Support for a Strong Central government. Power is divided between Central and Local government (State) This will be the basis for the 10th Amendment “The powers not delegated to the United States by the Constitution, nor prohibited by it to the States, are reserved to the States respectively, or to the people”.