Ch9-1: A New Nation (pp. 296-299)
Background:
 Period: 1781-1787
 Status: newly enlarged free nation; 13 states see themselves as separate; Congress ineffective
o Each state has own constitution: laws made by own citizens
o Fear of strong central government
The Northwest Territory (MN, WI, MI, IL, IN, OH)
 Territory = land with only a national government
 Land Ordinance of 1785 (how measured, divided, & sold)
 NW Ordinance of 1787 (anti-slavery; territory to statehood outlined)
Articles of Confederation (weak central gov’t; states’ powers)
 Continental Congress designed the plan
 Approved in 1781 (wartime)
 Rights granted to Congress
o War: declare war / make peace treaties
o Finance: print / borrow money
 Limitations on Congress
o No national army
o No control of trade
o No levying of taxes
Problems of a weak central gov’t
 Indebtedness to other nations due to Revolutionary War
o States were asked for support
o No taxes
 Trade difficult between states
o Different money = disagreement of value
 Shay’s Rebellion
o No military protection
Continental Congress 1787 (Philadelphia)
 Discuss alternative to Articles of Confederation
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ESSENTIAL LEARNING POINTS:
1. What is the difference between a state and a territory?
2. Which ordinance described the division of new land? Describe the division of a Township.
3. Which ordinance was the first official anti-slavery directive of the federal gov’t?
4. What are the Articles of Confederation, and why are they important?
5. What two duties did the Articles of Confederation allow Congress to perform?
6. What were the three major restrictions placed on Congress through the Articles of
Confederation?
7. Why Congress have difficulty paying its debts following the Revolutionary War?
8. Provide three examples showing how the Articles of Confederation were inadequate.