Topic 1.3: Government Power and Individual Rights

Articles of Confederation

The first governing document of the US (1781-1789) that established a weak central government and reserved most powers to individual states

Unicameral Congress

A single House national legislature where every state received exactly one vote regardless of population

Major weaknesses of the articles

No power to tax- Congress could only request money from states

No power to regulate interstate commerce- States engaged in economical trade wars, which damaged the national economy.

No power to raise a standing army- The central government couldn’t enforce national security or defend against internal rebellion.

Super majority required to pass laws- Nine out of 13 states had to agree to pass any legislation.

Unanimous vote to amend- All 13 states had to agree to change the articles making structural reform virtually impossible.

Shays rebellion

A 1786-1787 armed uprising of indebted Massachusetts farmers that highlighted the national governments inability to maintain order or raisin army

Impact of Shays rebellion

Convinced national political leaders of the urgent, need to revise the Articles and create a strong stronger central government.

Annapolis convention (1786)

an initial meeting of five states to address trade disputes that resulted in a car for a full convention in Philadelphia.