U.S. History / Unit 2: Revolution and the Constitution
2.4 The Articles of Confederation
Notes
The first U.S. government, under the Articles of Confederation (ratified 1781), was deliberately weak to avoid tyranny.
- One-house Congress, each state with one vote; no executive (president) and no national courts.
- Congress could not tax, could not regulate trade between states and had no power to enforce its laws.
- Changing the Articles required all 13 states to agree; major laws needed 9.
- Success: the Northwest Ordinance (1787) set up a plan for new states and banned slavery in the Northwest Territory.
- Shays' Rebellion (1786 to 1787): indebted Massachusetts farmers rebelled. The national government could not respond, which convinced many leaders that a stronger government was needed.
Practice
Which was a major weakness of the Articles of Confederation?
Congress could only ask states for money, and states often refused.
Why did Shays' Rebellion alarm many American leaders?
Congress had no army or money to respond, highlighting the Articles' weakness.
Which was an achievement of the government under the Articles?
The Northwest Ordinance set a process for territories to become equal states.
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