Study Notes on Exam Instructions and Articles of Confederation

Exam Instructions

  • Format and Timing

    • 50 questions on the exam.

    • 1 hour to complete the exam.

    • Administered online.

    • Schedule a time to take the exam.

    • Respondus must be installed.

  • Requirements

    • A working webcam is required.

    • Webcam should be uncovered to take a picture of you while taking the exam.

  • Availability

    • The exam is open until 11:59 PM on Saturday night.

    • It is recommended to take the exam while the IT help desk is available for support.

Sample Questions

  • Knowledge Level Questions:

    • Example questions to consider:

    • What is democracy?

    • What is an oligarchy?

    • What is a monarchy?

  • Upper Level Thinking Skills Questions:

    • The exam will consist of questions that require analytical and critical thinking.

Articles of Confederation

  • Historical Context:

    • The Articles of Confederation were the first written constitution of the United States.

    • Declared by American colonists in 1776 as independent entities, referred to as “free and independent states.”

    • This terminology referred to them as independent nations temporarily coming together to fight against Great Britain.

  • Bleak Situation in 1776:

    • Great Britain held the world's strongest navy and army, making the colonists’ declaration appear hopeless.

    • Comparable modern example: Venezuela declaring war on the USA.

  • Temporary Alliance:

    • 13 independent nations felt that unity was essential for the war effort against British forces.

  • Authors’ Intent:

    • Key founding figures acknowledged there was no desire for a strong national government post-war—independence from a central authority was sought.

Perception of Nationhood

  • Romanticized Views:

    • The prevailing notion is that independence immediately formed a united nation, contrasted with the reality of disunity immediately following the war.

  • Identity:

    • Citizens identified primarily with their individual states, such as Virginia or New York, rather than as citizens of the United States.

Purpose of Government

  • Securing Natural Rights:

    • The government’s main duty is to protect natural rights, defined through historical philosophers like Rousseau—life, liberty, and property.

    • Natural rights were initially articulated as:

    • Life,

    • Liberty,

    • Property (subsequently popularized by Jefferson as the pursuit of happiness).

  • State vs. National Government:

    • State governments were dominant in early America, leading to weak executive powers and strong legislative branches.

    • Congress under the Articles of Confederation faced numerous shortcomings, failing to secure individual rights effectively.

Government Systems

  • Unitary System:

    • The national government holds sovereignty; states derive their authority from it.

    • Example: modern England.

  • Confederation:

    • State governments retain sovereignty; the national government derives its powers from the states.

    • Example: Articles of Confederation.

    • The modern equivalent likened to the United Nations.

  • Federal System:

    • Both national and state governments possess sovereignty, sharing power and authority, exemplified by the current US government structure.

Key Features of the Articles of Confederation

  • Basic Structure:

    • Ratified on 03/01/1781 after a prolonged approval period stemming from debates about land ownership and state claims.

  • Type of Government:

    • Established as a republic, which is a representative form of government allowing citizens to elect officials to act on their behalf.

  • Limited Powers:

    • Could conduct foreign relations, maintain an army (only to maintain, not to raise), manage postal services, and make treaties with Indian nations.

Weaknesses of the Articles of Confederation

  • Inability to Tax:

    • Congress lacked the power to impose taxes, relying heavily on the states for monetary aid, leading to funding issues.

  • Lack of Enforcement:

    • No executive to enforce laws or a judiciary to interpret them, leaving enforcement dependent on states.

  • Economic Chaos:

    • Multiple currencies emerged, with each state issuing its own money, leading to confusion and instability in trade.

  • Trade Regulation Failures:

    • Congress unable to regulate commerce effectively, causing tariffs and barriers between states.

National Challenges Under Confederation

  • Barbary Pirates:

    • Lack of naval power left American shipping vulnerable to piracy, highlighting government inefficacy.

  • Treaty of Paris Violations:

    • Post-war challenges included Britain ignoring compliance with withdrawal from the Northwest territory.

  • Financial Strain on Soldiers:

    • Soldiers were often paid in script, which was largely worthless, leading to unrest and conditions for rebellion, exemplified by specific events like Shays' Rebellion.

    • Newburgh Conspiracy:

    • An attempt to enact a coup led by military leaders due to unpaid wages.

Shays' Rebellion

  • Instance of Armed Protest:

    • Initiated by Daniel Shays in Massachusetts, driven by unpaid taxes and back debts on local farms.

    • Demonstrated the glaring inequalities and grievances facing former soldiers.

  • Impact of Rebellion:

    • Exposed systemic weaknesses of the Articles of Confederation, prompting debates over the need for a stronger national government.

    • Resulted in a fear of more uprisings and solidified the desire among leaders for reform.

Conclusion and Next Discussion

  • Future Considerations:

    • The debate over the effectiveness of the Articles led to the eventual convening in Philadelphia, where reform discussions began.

  • End of Class:

    • Students are instructed to take a quiz found on Canvas with the password: Articles2. Once completed, students are dismissed.