This booklet helps students to learn about Constitution and its functions, different aspects of Government, the power granted and power denied.
1. Creating the Constitution
2. The Articles of Confederation • During the Revolution, the new United States needed a functioning government • Modeled after colonial governments • States would retain sovereignty • Founders were fearful of concentrated power due to past experience with the British 2
3. A Limited Government • Articles established a “firm league of friendship” among the states • Bills were passed on nine of thirteen votes • Amending the Articles took unanimous consent of the states 3
4. Structure of Government • Unicameral (single house) legislative body • Each state had one vote regardless of population size • Congress given sole authority to govern the country • An executive committee oversaw government when Congress was not in session • Congress would establish temporary courts to hear disputes among the states 4
5. Powers Granted to Government under the Articles of Confederation • Declare war and make peace • Make treaties with foreign countries • Establish an army and navy • Appoint high-ranking military officials • Requisition, print, and borrow money • Establish weights and measures • Hear disputes among the states related to trade or boundaries 5
6. Powers Denied to Government • No power to raise funds for an army or navy • No power to tax, impose tariffs, or collect duties • No executive branch to enforce laws • No power to control trade among the states • No power to force states to honor obligations • No power to regulate the value of currency 6
7. Accomplishments of the Articles of Confederation • Administered the seven-year war effort • Negotiated the Treaty of Paris with Britain in 1783 • Established the Northwest Ordinance of 1787 Map of the land settled in the Northwest Ordinance of 1787 7
8. Problems Facing the New Nation • Trade with foreign nations • Financing the nation • Foreign relations • Interstate relations A 1783 cartoon satirizing relations between Britain and America 8
9. Problems Facing the New Nation: You Decide • Trade with foreign nations • Financing the nation • Foreign relations • Interstate relations 9
10. Problems with Trade • U.S. no longer the favorite trading partner of Great Britain – U.S. exports to British ports had to be on British ships – Many U.S.-produced goods were barred from British ports – Britain sent vast amounts of cheap goods to U.S. • Potential Remedy – Establish a tariff on British goods • Weakness in Articles of Confederation preventing this solution 10
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