The Articles of Confederation Forging a Union of States.

The Articles of Confederation

Forging a Union of States

The Declaration of Independence

• For Jefferson, governments have only one purpose:– To secure natural rights

• In order to secure natural rights, a government must respect those rights even at its inception

• Governments depend on the consent of the governed for their legitimacy

• The standard of justice– Does a government secure natural rights?– Does a government recognize its dependence on the

consent of the governed?

The Scene…• A state of war exists with Great

Britain• The British Unitary state is

rejected • The Declaration of Independence

states that the colonies “are, and of right ought to be, free and independent states”

• The necessities of war dictate these states must unite to repel the British and Hessian armies

• The Continental Congress drafts “Articles of Confederation and Perpetual Union” in 1777

Confederation• Sovereignty ultimately rests with

– Citizens– Member states – Or Both

• Citizens elect member state governments

• Member states appoint delegates to central government

• Central government ultimately depends on member states

– May not administer policy over citizens without states’ consent

• Examples:– Articles of Confederation– North Atlantic Treaty

Organization– European Union

CitizensCitizensCitizens

State CState BState A

Central Government

Basic Features of the Articles of Confederation

• Begins with a formal greeting– Suggests a recognition of the reader’s natural rights

• Lists each state by name• Expressly recognizes each state’s sovereignty• Mandates full faith and credit, one state to

another• Describes the Union as “a firm league of

friendship with each other– For their common defense– the security of their liberties– and their mutual and general welfare”

The United States, In Congress Assembled

• A single representative and deliberative body– Each state appoints delegates

• Minimum 2• Maximum 7

– Each state has one vote in the Congress

– The Congress appoints one of its members to preside

• Term may last no more than one year

• Exercises federative powers– The concurrence of nine states

required to act– Except on adjournment

• Exercises no powers not expressly delegated to them– Delegates from nine states must be

present to conduct business

CitizensCitizensCitizens

New YorkNew JerseyVirginia

The United Statesin Congress Assembled

The Committee of the States• Appointed by the

Congress• One member from

each state• Interim committee

– May meet while the Congress is in recess

• May exercise limited executive powers– “managing the general

affairs of the United States”

CitizensCitizensCitizens

New YorkNew JerseyVirginia

The United Statesin Congress Assembled

Committeeof theStates

Problems under the ConfederationStates’ war debt

•States raise taxes•States and creditors call in loans•Debtors unable to pay•Creditors attempt to sue•Debtors block the courts (Shays’ Rebellion)

Interstate disputes over taxation•States share waterways•States regulate commerce•States tax fisheries harvests •Includes citizens from other states

Insecure borders•UK grudgingly concludes Peace of Paris•UK negotiates with possible US adversaries

•Including Gayanashagowa •UK maintains military in Ontario and Quebec•UK maintains Blockade on Atlantic Coast

Barriers to interstate commerce•British blockade

Water route difficult and dangerous•Multiple currencies, multiple import duties

State border crossings expensiveincreases cost of manufacture

•Native nationsPeace of Chalagawtha (Chillicothe)Kentucky patrolsTsalagi boundary dispute