THE ARTICLES OF

CONFEDERATION
WHAT IS IT?
The Articles of
Confederation and
Perpetual Union is
the name of the first
constitution of the
U.S. The agreement
was the law of the
land from 1781 until
1789.
WHEN DID THIS HAPPEN?
It was drafted by the same Continental
Congress that passed the Declaration of
Independence.
This document gave the original 13 colonies
a set of rules.
A WAY TO GOVERN THEMSELVES!
It was created during the
Revolutionary War and reflects the
founding fathers desire to avoid an
overbearing central authority (like
the king of England!)
WHAT WAS IT GOOD FOR?
The Congress of the Confederation
could declare war and peace,
manage foreign affairs and the
postal service, establish an army
and navy, borrow money,
determine the value of coin and
issue bills.

This all sounds
quite nice and
powerful on paper.
There was just one
problem.
IT DID NOT
WORK!
What was the name of the first
Constitution of the United States?
A. Articles of
Friendship

B. Articles of
Confederation

C. Articles of
Constitution
What did the Articles of
Confederation do for the colonies?
A. Unite under one
government

B. Unite under one
King

C. Unite under one
Congress
What were the colonist trying to avoid when
they created the Articles of Confederation?
A. Dictator

B. Emperor

C. King
The Articles of
Confederation
established a firm
league of
friendship among
the 13 states, when
finally adopted on
March 1, 1781.
MAJOR PROBLEMS OF THE
DOCUMENT WERE:

The states were powerful, while
Congress was weak.
There was no chief executive
(president) or national judicial
system (supreme court).
MORE PROBLEMS?
Congress could not
regulate commerce or
taxes.
Each state chose how
and what to tax
FACT: George
Washington had to go
to Congress to beg for
money to buy bullets,
food, and clothes for
our soldiers.
George Washington, Alexander
Hamilton and other leaders were
not satisfied with the Articles of
Confederation. But any changes
required the approval of all 13
states.
PROBLEMS, PROBLEMS,
PROBLEMS
In 1876 at Annapolis, Maryland a
convention meet to discuss commercial
problems in the colonies, but only 5 of the
13 sent representatives.
How disappointing!
Something had to be done to help our
struggling nation.
On Jan. 25, 1787 Daniel Shay, a Mass.
farmer and Revolutionary War veteran, lead
a group of farmers on an attack of the
federal arsenal in Springfield, Mass. This
unsuccessful attempt resulted in 4 men
dying, but attention had been drawn to the
economic plight of the people.


The 13 states
had to find a
way to speak
with one voice!

What did the Articles of
Confederation establish?

A. a strong nation united

B. a league of friends

C. a huge empire

Who has the power?

A. Congress

B. President

C. State
Why did the nation not have
money to pay for the war, etc.?

A. Did not know how to budget

B. The people did not like them

C. The Congress could not tax the states/people

How many states were needed to
change the Articles of Confederation?

A. NINE

B. THIRTEEN

C. FIFTY

How long did the Articles of
Confederation rule our nation?

A. One year

B. Eight years

C. Eighty One years

Who did the Articles name as the
President of the nation?

A. George Washington

B. Thomas Jefferson

C. None of the above

What number colony was
Georgia?
A. One

B. Ten

C. Thirteen


** HAD THE ARTICLES OF
CONFEDERATION DONE ANY GOOD
FOR OUR COUNTRY? **
YES! It had provided
our young nation with
experience in self-
government under a
written document. Its
weaknesses only
served to make our
nation stronger.
A HAPPY ENDING FOR ALL!

Representatives from the
thirteen colonies meet in
Philadelphia in 1787 to
address the nations
problems. The Articles of
Confederation were
abandoned and the United
States Constitution was
written.