Articles of Confederation
Sydney Ramsey
Articles of Confederation, Americas Worst Constitution
The articles of Confederation were adopted by Continental Congress, November 15, 1777. It was the first Constitution in the United States. The Articles were very weak because it was the first Constitution and they wrote everything themselves because they did not want a high power government taking over.
Strengths of the Articles Confederation
- They governed the nation during the revolutionary war
- Negotiated the Treaty of Paris 1783
- People were under the administration of the Land Ordinance of 1785
- The Northwest Ordinance of 1787 brought new states into the Union
- Most power held by national government
Weaknesses of the Articles of Confederation
- They lacked power to enforce law
- Lacked power to levy taxes
- Lacked power to control trade among states
- Required all 13 states to make changes in the Articles of Confederation.
- One branch of government
Northwest Ordinance of 1787
The Northwest Ordinance created a system for bringing new states into the Union. It would be separated into several smaller territories with a governor appointed by congress. When the population of the territory reached 60,000 it's settlers could draft their own constitution.
Shay's Rebellion
Each state handled the economic problems differently.The Government refused to print worthless paper money. They tried to pay their war debts by collecting taxes on land. There where many heavy debts farmer's owed the government, it had a really bad effect. Some farmers's and their families had to sell their land, and had to serve terms in debtors prison, others had to sell their labor.