Articles of Confederation

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Why were the Articles of Confederation so weak?

AoC writers disliked… So under the AoC…

Taxation without representation

The federal government could not tax

A large central government that had absolute power

States didn’t have to follow federal laws and treaties

Having to follow British legislation

States had their own laws and didn’t have to follow

other states’ laws

Lots of power was in the king’s hands

No executive branch or national court system

The king could change laws at any time

Any amendment required all 13 states’ approval

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What was the Problem?

• Since the federal government could not tax, it was very difficult to raise money

• Since states didn’t have to follow laws and treaties, the federal government had no assurance that individual states would follow them

• Each state had its own laws, which made it difficult for the country to act in a united way. Congress couldn’t pay back debts from the revolution and couldn’t get states to work together to encourage commerce.

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What was the Problem?

• Since there was no executive branch, the government could not defend its borders.

• Since there was no executive branch and national court system, the government could not enforce its laws

• Any amendment required all 13 states’ approval, so the AoC was very difficult to modify

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Textbook Questions

1. What happened in Shay’s rebellion?

2. How is it connected to the Articles of Confederation?

3. According to the textbook, how did Americans respond?

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Discussion Questions

What are the pros and cons of a strong central government?

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Discussion Questions

Why might Jefferson oppose having a strong central government?

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Discussion Questions

Why would the idea of poor farmers rebelling be scary to many of the people at the Constitutional Convention?

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Discussion Questions

Do you agree with Jefferson’s assertion about the “tree of liberty?”

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Discussion Questions

How does this letter challenge or expand the textbook’s account?

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Discussion Questions

Why might many textbooks make it seem like everyonewanted a strong central government after Shays’ Rebellion?