2 piece of Eight = 1 British Pound 3 French Francs = 1 British PoundCandy = 3 British Pounds

2 piece of Eight = 1 British Pound3 French Francs = 1 British Pound Candy = 3 British Pounds4 Canadian Dollars = 1 British Pound

= 1 British Pound

= 1 Canadian Dollar

= 1 Spanish piece of eight

= 1 French Franc

Chap 2.3 Articles of ConfederationEstablished “a firm league of friendship” among the States.Proposed - 1776; Ratified by all 13 States - 1781

  Allowed States to Keep:

SovereigntyFreedomIndependenceAll Powers not

granted to National Government 

National Government to take care of

Common DefenseSecure LibertiesProvide for the

General Welfare

Structure of The Articles of Confederation

Legislature - Unicameral Congress (1 body)Each state had only 1 voteNo Executive Branch

– Duties handled by Congress

No Judicial Branch– Duties handled by Congress 

Critical Period – 1780’sCentral Government cannot act – “Firm League of

Friendship” has no “teeth” to enforce anything

Weaknesses of The Articles of Confederation

Economic No Power to Tax –

only borrow and beg No Uniform

Currency No Power to Regulate

Commerce Interstate Foreign

Political Only 1 Vote per State

Regardless of size No Executive to

enforce Acts of Congress

No Federal Court System (Judiciary)

Amendment only with approval of all 13 States (unanimous)

Consequences of the Weaknesses Fighting Among States

Taxing other State’s TradeBanning other State’s Trade

States Not Supporting New Central GovernmentEconomic Chaos

Public and Private Debts Not Paid

Catalyst of Revision of the Articles Shay’s Rebellion

Massachusetts farmers revolting to keep courts from foreclosing on farms

Chap 2.4 Creating the ConstitutionMet in Philadelphia May 25, 1787George Washington Elected president of the convention

Worked in SecretFramers new generation of American politics

Changing DirectionOriginal goal improve the Articles of ConfederationMay 30, 5 days after starting, adopted resolution to create a new government.

Compromise Needed to Create the Constitution

Compromise important part of government

13 States very different in geography and economic situations

Wide differences of opinion among delegates, but

Delegates agreed on basic fundamental issuesNeed of new national government, federal in

natureConcepts of Popular Sovereignty, Limited

Government, Separation of Powers, Checks and Balances