The Articles of Confederation, The Northwest Ordinance, & Shay's Rebellion

The Articles of Confederation The first challenge faced by delegates to the Second Continental Congress (keep in mind this was DURING the American Revolution) in 1776 was to establish a central government to coordinate efforts for the ensuing war with Great Britain. The delegates determined that a weak national government which gave the utmost power to individual states was best. They were used to their separate colonial governments. From this came the Articles of Confederation. The Articles of Confederation established a "firm league of friendship" between states, and created a congress with each state having one vote. Powers not given to the federal government were retained by the state. Significantly, the Articles of Confederation did not create an office of chief executive (a President), a system of federal courts, or authorize Congress to raise an army. Ratification was required by all thirteen states, accomplished in 1781, when Maryland finally ratified the document. By 1787, it was apparent that the Articles of Confederation were not strong enough to govern the growing nation. America was in debt, with no ability to resolve its financial woes. Though the federal government could ask for money from the states, it had no power to tax, and thus no ability to fill a federal treasury to pay its debts. The new nation was also unable to effectively deal with aggressive foreign governments. Even though the Articles of Confederation were not very effective, some things were accomplished under them. The Northwest Ordinance of 1787 established the basis for government and determined how the Northwest Territory could be admitted to the Union. The Northwest Territory became the states of Ohio, Indiana, Illinois, Michigan, and Wisconsin. The Northwest Ordinance also stated there was to be fair treatment for Native Americans. Slavery was not permitted in the territory; civil liberties and education were to be guaranteed; and everyone had a right to a trial by jury. Over half the delegates to the Constitutional Convention in 1787 had served in the Continental Congress, and one third had fought in the American Revolution. Missing were Thomas Jefferson and John Adams, who were in Europe serving as ambassadors. George Washington who described the government under the Articles of Confederation as "little more than the shadow without substance," was elected president of the Constitutional Convention. Instead, they created a new document- The United States Constitution. When was the Articles of Confederation passed? Before the American Revolution During the American Revolution After the American Revolution Who did the Articles of Confederation give the most power to? The National Government Great Britain The Individual States What was considered a positive impact of the Articles of Confederation? The creation of the Constitution The Northwest Ordinance The banning of slavery from all 13 colonies Articles, Shay's Rebellion, & Northwest Ord.mp4 Watch the video and answer the questions that follow. The Articles of Confederation, Northwest Ordinance and Shay's Rebellion The Articles of Confederation, The Northwest Ordinance, and Shay's Rebellion For what future events did the Northwest Ordinance set important precedents? The political relationship between the United States and Canada. Westward expansion and the creation of new territories. The Declaration of Independence and Revolutionary War. The power of the federal government and the Civil War. What was Shays' Rebellion? A rebellion against slavery in Massachusetts that started the Civil War. A rebellion against taxes on tea and stamps in Massachusetts that started the Revolutionary War. A rebellion against new taxes in the state of Massachusetts after the Revolutionary War. The demands of a Massachusetts politician to have the United States capital be Massachusetts. What did the Articles of Confederation do? Denoted the formation of the Confederate States of America at the beginning of the Civil War. Declared that the American colonies were independent of Britain. Determined the future of American expansion by creating the first territory. Defined the United States as an independent nation, composed as a union of states. What was the Second Continental Congress? The second time that Congress met, composed of the Senate and House of Representatives. The government of the United States during the Revolutionary War. A delegation of all major leaders on the North American continent to discuss the colonial situation. A document signed by the President to create Congress. What happened to the Articles of Confederation after Shays' Rebellion? They were renewed by the Congress of the Confederation to increase the power of the states. They were replaced by the US Constitution to create a more organized federal government. They were created by the Second Continental Congress to control the states. Nothing; the Articles of Confederation were abandoned by the time of Shays' Rebellion.