unit 1.4-1.6 (a.o.c & the constitution)

sent to states for ratification in 1777
disagreements over land charters between states were common * land was granted by king george and they broke apart from them
five versions were rejected; sixth version was agree upon on nov. 17, 1777 and sent out
ratification didn’t occur until march 1, 1781

preamble to article III: explains how it is a confederation and they unite solely to defend each other and the land itself that they share * doesn’t mention specific form of government (not a viable form of republic) * one house, no checks and balances, one office, etc. (lacks structure to be true unified country)
unicameral national legislature * no executive or judicial branches
equal representation of each state with one vote (no difference between big and small states so unequal representation population-wise)
9 to 13 states (majority) required to pass legislation (law)
unanimous votes required to amend the articles (to change the a.o.c)
no national court system

could	could not
-borrow money-create army/navy-declare war-establish post offices-form treaties	-tax states, citizens, goods, income -institute a draft-regulate commerce-regulate national currency-regulate foreign trade
accomplishments	failures
-treaty of paris-land ordinance of 1785-northwest ordinance of 1787	-economic conflicts between states-(financial) depressions-foreign trade issues-shays’s rebellion (1786-1787)

no ability to tax * relied on “donations” from the states (they didn’t want to)
congress was never able to actually pass laws with the 9 votes needed to allow congress to impose a 5% import tax to fund the government
1783 tax proposal by madison to tax based on population also failed to pass