Lecture Notes: The Articles of Confederation and Early US Governance

Introduction

• After declaring independence in 1776, the Second Continental Congress acted as the provisional government.
• The new government drafted a constitution, known as the Articles of Confederation.
• America has had two constitutions: the Articles of Confederation and the current Constitution.

The Articles of Confederation

Drafting and Role

• Drafted by John Dickinson, a Quaker landowner from Pennsylvania.
• Aimed to limit central government power; states remained sovereign.
• Created a unicameral legislature where each state had one vote.
• Required 9 of 13 votes for legislation to pass, making it difficult to enact laws.

Structure of Government

• Congress: Unicameral legislature with equal representation from each state.
• President: Role was to preside over Congress, with no voting or veto power.
• Central Government: Lacked power to tax, leading to financial issues.

Powers and Limitations

• Could resolve trade disputes among states.
• Conduct foreign policy, including declaring war and signing treaties.
• The government couldn't levy taxes, severely limiting its functionality.

Achievements under the Articles

• Conducted the Revolutionary War and signed the Treaty of Paris in 1783.
• Addressed Western land claims and Native American relations.
• Treaty of Fort Stanwix (1784) with the Iroquois Confederation set a precedent for treaty-based land cession.

Land and Education

• Land Ordinance of 1785: Established a system for surveying and selling public lands.

  • Created townships and allocated land for public schools.
  • The government was involved in public education since 1785.

• Northwest Ordinance of 1787: Allowed territories to become states once they reached 60,000 propertied citizens.

  • Slavery was outlawed in the Northwest Territory.

Weaknesses and Issues

• The government was unable to effectively govern due to lack of taxing power.
• Shays' Rebellion (1786): Highlighted economic and social unrest among veterans unable to pay debts or taxes.
  • Demonstrated the federal government’s inability to respond effectively to internal conflicts.

Towards a New Constitution

• Recognition of the Articles' weaknesses led to calls for a stronger central government.
• James Madison and others began advocating for reforms leading to the drafting of the current Constitution.

Conclusion

• The Articles of Confederation established a weak central government mainly to maintain state sovereignty.
• Significant issues led to the eventual creation of the U.S. Constitution, providing a more robust federal structure.