The Articles of Confederation
1781 – 1787

- First government of the new nation
        o Weak form of government
                § Congress did not have enough power
                § States had most of the power

Powers of Congress in The Articles of Confederation


 
Powers of Congress
Problems of Congress
Results
1. Power to Raise Money 1. Did not have the right to tax. They had to ask the states for money, in which they usually refused 1. Congress in debt
2. Power to organize an army 2. Congress could only ask troops to send in money, in which they usually refused. 2a) Revolutionary soldiers were not paid
2b) No national army or navy
2c) War debts were unpaid
3. Congress could coin money 3. Each state also coined its own money 3. Congressional money was worthless

 

Powers Congress DID NOT have under the Articles of Confederation

 
Powers Congress DID NOT have
Problems
1. Congress did not have the powers to control trade between states 1. Each state placed tariffs on out of state products
2. Congress did not have the power to settle disputes amongst foreign nations. 2. States treated each other like foreign nations

Other Problems Created by the Articles of Confederation

Other Problems
Results/Problems
1. 9 of 13 states had to agree in order to pass legislation 1. Too difficult to get 9 of 13 "independent" states to agree
2. All 13 states had to pass amendents to change the Articles 2. Articles become virtually impossible to amend.

- Problems in 1785
            o States were far from united
            o People were poor, hungry and in debt
                    § Led to Shays Rebellion: poor farmers protest against the Massachusetts government
            o Trade suffered