AP Gov: Topic 1.4 - Challenges of the Articles of Confederation Study Guide

Articles of Confederation

Continental Congress created a committee of 13 men to draft it; laid out first form of government for the new nation; redefined former colonies as states and loosely united them as a confederation or alliance under one governing authority; 1776 draft written by John Dickinson which was submitted to states for approval after revisions; defined "the firm league of friendship" that existed among the states, which had delegated a few powers to the national government

Shays' Rebellion

in early 1787, Daniel Shays, former captain in the Continental army, led a bond of violent insurgents to federal arsenal in Springfield; lack of a centralized military power and readiness to respond to a violent uprising became the closing argument of the need for a strong central government; in western MA in 1786, large group of impoverished farmers (many Revolutionary War veterans), lostfarms to mortgage foreclosures and failure to pay higher than average state taxes; organized, disrupted government, and obstructed court claims; insurgents deamnded government ease financial pressures by printing more money, lowering taxes, and suspending mortgages; even if quashed, demonstrated to the nation's leaders that the lack of a centralized military poqer posed a threat to America's security

Who drafted the initial 1776 version of the Articles of Confederation that was submitted to the states for revision and approval?

John Dickinson

What primary document defined the "firm league of friendship" between the original 13 American states?

Articles of Confederation

Which 1786-1787 violent uprising targeted a federal arsenal in Springfield, Massachusetts, exposing the national government's military weaknesses?

Shays' Rebellion

Who led the group of impoverished farmers and Revolutionary War veterans in the 1786-1787 Massachusetts uprising?

Daniel Shays

Following the July 1776 Declaration of Independence, what type of governments did individual states establish before forming a central confederation?

Individual state constitutions ranging from participatory to elite democracy systems

Why was a central national government necessary even though states functioned like 13 separate governments?

The nation needed a unified central authority to conduct foreign affairs and business on the international stage.

Which branch or branches of government existed under the Articles of Confederation?

Only a single legislative branch (Congress); there was no executive branch and no judicial branch.

How many states were required to approve an amendment to the Articles of Confederation?

All 13 states had to unanimously agree.

Why was the central government under the Articles of Confederation unable to pay its national bills and war debts?

Congress had no constitutional power to directly raise tax revenue.

What happened when Congress proposed a 5% tariff resolution in 1782 to raise federal funds?

Rhode Island voted against it, blocking the resolution due to the requirement for unanimous state consent.

What financial and currency issue plagued trade and economic stability under the Articles of Confederation?

The lack of a uniform national currency across the states.

Why were many Revolutionary War veterans facing severe financial distress upon returning home?

Congress had not paid them for their military service, while state governments imposed high taxes and allowed farm mortgage foreclosures.

What specific economic actions did Daniel Shays and his insurgents demand from the government to relieve debt pressures?

They demanded that the government print more paper money, lower state taxes, and suspend mortgage foreclosures.

How did state authorities respond to the petitions from struggling farmers prior to the outbreak of Shays' Rebellion?

They offered no financial relief and strictly demanded full payment of debts and taxes.

How was Shays' Rebellion eventually put down?

Massachusetts authorities gathered a state-funded militia to crush the insurgents after they armed themselves at the town arsenal.

How did Shays' Rebellion influence the political debate regarding state versus federal power?

It demonstrated that the central government lacked a standing military to handle security threats, convincing leaders to draft a new Constitution with stronger federal powers.