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