Actions From the First Congress
Gavin Nedland
The First Congress
One of the main failures of the first congress was its limited fiscal power. Because it could not tax states the effectiveness of the government was limited. One of the best achievements of the congress was the creation and upkeep of the continental army. The treaty with France in 1778 was a major turning point in the war and greatly important to America's cause. The congress obtained ownership of their newly granted Western Lands and used the profits to pay for things like road construction and military protection. Congress also provided for future states in the new area to join the confederation and be equal with the original 13 states.
Three laws established an admission policy that were based on population regarding the Northwest Territory. Territory was organized on a rectangular grid pattern that made legal pattern more secure. The expansion of slavery was prohibited.
Marietta, Ohio
One of the first towns in the Northwestern Territory.
Citations
"14c. Evaluating the Congress." Evaluating the Congress [ushistory.org]. N.p., n.d. Web. 18 Apr. 2013.
"The First Federal Congress First Federal Congress." The First Federal Congress First Federal Congress. N.p., n.d. Web. 19 Apr. 2013.