The Articles Of Confederation

The Articles of Confederation • 1st plan of governance for the United States of America. • First approved in 1777 and was not officially ratified by all 13 states until 1781.

Articles of Confederation • “A firm league of friendship” between all the states. - Each state maintained sovereignty, power and independence within this national framework. • National Cause - the common defense, the security of their liberties and their general welfare.

Governmental Structure • The Articles established one body- the legislature. - unicameral (1 house) - Representatives were elected every year, 1 per state. • No executive or judicial branch. - Congress established committees. • Elected a presiding officer, not a President.

Powers of Congress • Make war/peace, treaties, raise a navy and/or an army. • establish post offices • send and greet ambassadors • settle state disputes

Weaknesses • Congress: 1 vote per state, no matter size • Congress has no power to collect taxes. • Congress has no power to regulate commerce, foreign or interstate. • No executive for enforcement of laws. • No national court system. • 9/13 majority to pass law, instead of a simple majority. • Amendments required 100% agreement .

Problems • No big brother to judge disputes. • No financial support for the central gov’t. • Treaties between individual states and other countries. • States made their own money, no national currency. • Feb. 1787: A call for another meeting of the minds– The Constitutional Convention