The Critical Period

(Chapter 2, Section 3)

The Articles of ConfederationCongress debated for 17 months on how to unite the former colonies (now states)

Approved on November 15, 1777 but not enacted until March 1, 1871

Established a “firm league of friendship” among the states – Is this really effective? Why or why not? – Each state kept its own powers

The states would come together for their common defense and mutual welfare

The Articles of Confederation

Ratification (formal approval) was needed by the states

11 out of 13 states ratified it within one year

Delaware approved it in February of 1779

Maryland approved it on March 1, 1871, and the Second Continental Congress declared the Articles effective on that date

Weaknesses of the ArticlesOnly a “firm league of friendship” among states

Only one vote for each State, regardless of size

Congress could make war and peace, send and receive ambassadors, make treaties, borrow money, establish post offices

Congress powerless to levy taxes

Congress powerless to regulate commerce/trade

No executive power to enforce acts of Congress

No national court system

Amendments require the consent of ALL states, not just a majority

A 9/13 majority was required to pass laws

States had a lot of power and were primarily responsible for protecting life and property and for promoting the safety and happiness of the people

The Critical Period

States argued amongst themselves, and there was no central government to mediate

States started refusing to support the weak central government, and some states went so far as to make agreements with foreign countries without the approval of Congress

Most states organized their own military forces States taxed one another’s goods and banned

some trade States printed their own money Prices increased, debts skyrocketed, violence

broke out

The Critical Period• Western Massachusetts – Shays’ Rebellion

– As economic conditions worsened, property holders (small farmers) began to lose their land and possessions due to non-payment of taxes and other debt

– Fall of 1786, Daniel Shays led an armed uprising that forced many State judges to close their courts

– The rebellion was hard to put down because there was not a strong central government

– Massachusetts Legislature eventually passed laws to ease the burden of debtors

A Need for Stronger Government

Under the Articles, the government was unable to deal with the nation’s troubles

Mount Vernon – Maryland and Virginia took 1st step towards changeThe two states agreed to resolve conflicts

over commerce and navigation on the Potomac River and Chesapeake Bay

Representatives from each of the two states met at George Washington’s home (Mount Vernon)

The meeting was successful and the Virginia General Assembly called for “a joint meeting of the States to consider and recommend a federal plan for regulating commerce.”

A Need for Stronger Government

Annapolis – Representatives from only 5 states: New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Delaware, and VirginiaAlexander Hamilton (New York) and James

Madison (Virginia) persuaded those in attendance to call for another meeting of the States

Min-February of 1787, Seven States named delegates to the meeting in Philadelphia

The Philadelphia Meeting became known as the Constitutional ConventionOriginally meant to redesign the Articles of

Confederation but evolved into a meeting to create an entirely new kind of Government for the United States of America