Topic 3.7 - The Articles of Confederation

1777

When were the Articles of Confederation written?

1781

When were the Articles of Confederation ratified?

United States of America

The Articles of Confederation established the official name of the country as ________.

Each state was given 1 vote

Under the Articles of Confederation, how many votes did each state have in Congress?

unicameral legislature (Congress)

Name all of the different branches of government established by the Articles of Confederation.

1. power to declare war
2. power to conduct foreign relations
3. the Congress could pass laws if 9/13 states voted in favor of the law

What were three of the most important powers (strengths) given to the national government by the Articles of Confederation?

1. Articles could be amended only if 13/13 states agreed
2. no executive branch to enforce the laws
3. no judicial branch to interpret the laws or decide arguments
4. no power to tax
5. no national army
6. no power to regulate interstate trade

What were the weaknesses of the Articles of Confederation?

1785 Land Ordinance

Law passed by the unicameral Congress which set regulations for surveying and selling western lands after the end of the Revolutionary War.

1787 Northwest Ordinance

Law passed by the unicameral Congress which set up the process by which territories will become a state; it also outlawed slavery in the territories.

Shays' Rebellion

A series of attacks on courthouses by a small band of farmers and led by a Revolutionary War soldier . The group took over the court houses in order to block foreclosure proceedings which were taking away people's farms because of their failure to pay their debts.