Overview
This lecture covers the key features, weaknesses, and the lone accomplishment of America's first constitution, the Articles of Confederation, and sets the stage for the transition to the U.S. Constitution.
The Critical Period and the Challenge of Self-Government
- After the American Revolution, the U.S. struggled with how to govern itself, entering a "critical period" in the 1780s-90s.
- The main concern was balancing power between state governments and the national government.
Main Features of the Articles of Confederation
- State sovereignty: States retained most powers; national government had limited authority.
- Single-branch government: Only a legislative branch (Congress of the Confederation) existed—no executive or judicial branches.
- Equal representation: Each state, regardless of size or population, had one vote in Congress.
Weaknesses of the Articles of Confederation
- No power to tax: The national government could not levy taxes, relying on states for funding.
- Inability to maintain a national military: Without taxes, the national government could not support an army.
- Difficulty paying debts: The government could not pay off over $75 million in war debt due to lack of funding.
- No power to regulate commerce: States controlled trade, leading to economic chaos and interstate tariffs.
- Lack of national leadership: Prominent leaders preferred serving in state legislatures due to the weak national government.
Accomplishment: The Northwest Ordinance of 1787
- Established a process for admitting new states from the western territories as equals in the Union.
- Banned slavery north of the Ohio River, shaping future political power in favor of free states.
- The process set by the Northwest Ordinance became the blueprint for all future states except the original 13 and Texas.
Key Terms & Definitions
- State Sovereignty — The principle that states are the supreme authority within their borders.
- Articles of Confederation — The first U.S. constitution, ratified in 1781, creating a loose confederation of states.
- Confederation Congress — The single legislative body governing under the Articles of Confederation.
- Northwest Ordinance (1787) — Law that organized western territory and banned slavery north of the Ohio River.
Action Items / Next Steps
- Prepare for upcoming discussion on the Constitutional Convention and the creation of the U.S. Constitution.