The Articles of Confederation

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The Articles of Confederation

• Jefferson Parish, Louisiana
• US DOE
• Teaching American History Grant

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Movement Toward Confederation
1768- Franklin Pushed for Imperial Federation
He foresaw a bi-polar Empire London
Philadelphia
1774- Samuel Adams James Wilson called
An Imperial Federation
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1775-1776 They all (except John Adams) wanted to
wait as long as possible before declaring
independence.
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John Dickinson wrote a Constitution, the
Articles of Confederation that Was finally
Ratified in 1781.
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dc22416    Downtown Washington
As bad as the Articles were, they did win the war against the British Empire  Downtown Washington
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Washingtons First Farewell Address
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Major Post War Problems that the Articles could
not deal with

• Boom of the Revolution had ended
• Brits stopped all trade USA is out of the Empire
• West Indies are cut off
• French economy was a mess
• States are foreclosing on citizens
• British soldiers still in western forts
• US did not honor loyalists claims as they had
  agreed to do in the Treaty
• Serious treat of secession in the West

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Whats Going on with the States?
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In John Adams Massachusetts
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A Constitutional Convention
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15 State Constitutions
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All States React Against the Executive Legislature
s are supreme All states are TOO Democratic TOO
close to the people

• Annual Elections
• 11 annual elections for governor
• Two have bi-annual elections
• Term Limits
• In 12 the voter must own 50 acres or more
• 10 have a Bill of Rights
• 14 of 15 Constitutions produced by Legislatures

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Problem

• Democracy

Consent vs. Wisdom Democracy vs. Aristocracy
Republicanism Consent with Wisdom
Monarchy Wisdom w/o Consent
Democracy Consent w/o Wisdom
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Historically,Republicanism is a Failure

• Greeks
• Rome
• Venice
• German City States
• Cromwells Commonwealth

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Nicolo Machiavelli
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Pre 1938 Most of Europe was under a Dictatorship
Americans Brits Dont Take Politics That
Seriously
Republicans win or Democrats win The Saints will
still play that Sunday
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The American Experiment
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Public always focuses on SHORT TERM GAIN
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(No Transcript)
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Shays Rebellion
Tidewater vs. the Piedmont vs. the
Highlanders Passive Loyalists