8 Northwest Ordinance

Identify 2 weaknesses of the Articles of Confederation and explain why they were weaknesses.

Weaknesses Review NO POWER TO TAX NO DIRECT POWER OVER CITIZENS

COULD NOT ENFORCE LAWS

WEAKNESSES OF THE ARTICLES OF CONFEDERATION

COULD NOT BE CHANGED WITHOUT CONSENT OF ALL 13 STATES

COULD NOT REGULATE TRADE

Shays’ Rebellion  Depression: a steep drop in economic activity and employment.  Resulted in many foreclosures on farmland in western Massachusetts  Many of the farmers who lost their land were army veterans  The federal government owed them money, but could not pay them

 Daniel Shays, a former soldier, led hundreds of people to shut down

the county courts to prevent further foreclosures late in the summer of 1786 and 1,200 on a federal arsenal

 The state army puts down the rebellion  Citizens fear a breakdown of law and order and it is put down

Shays’ Rebellion

Weakness Without the ability to collect taxes, the government can’t pay off debts (including paying the army veterans) or pay for the security, safety, and services of the new nation!

Strengths Under the Articles  Land Ordinance of 1785

 Northwest Ordinance of 1787

Land Ordinance of 1785  Lands of the Northwest Territory would be sold to

settlers  Often resisted fiercely by Native-Americans  Solved two problems:  Provided cash for the government

 Increased American control over the land

(The first organized American settlement in the Northwest Territory was Marietta, Ohio, founded in 1788)

Land Ordinance of 1785 Cont’d  Outlined how the land

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would surveyed and divided Set boundaries Townships that were 6 miles by 6 miles were created One section was set aside for schools Four were given to veterans

Northwest Ordinance of 1787  Outlined how the territory:  was to be governed  steps to statehood  It created a model for the

orderly growth of the United States  Five states were created: Ohio, Indiana, Illinois, Michigan & Wisconsin (parts of Minnesota)

Political Cartoon Create a political cartoon which relates one of the strengths or weaknesses of The Articles of Confederation. Be sure that your cartoon includes the following:  Title  Caption (or explanation)  Picture  Viewpoint or Message that you are trying to support