MODEL--Articles+of+Confederation

MODEL ENTRY of Free Response Question : Post on Wiki http://aphasbuchholtzsidor.wikispaces.com/

Theme: INDEPENDENCE

Topic: Articles of Confederation

Free Response Question: Analyze the degree to which the Articles of Confederation provided an effective form of government with respect to the following:
 * Foreign Relations
 * Economic Condition
 * Western Lands

__Introductory Paragraph__

The Articles of Confederation was drafted by the Second Continental Congress, ratified by all 13 states and was the first central government of the United States. Effective governments protect individual and property rights, establish a stable ordered society, foster commerce and trade and defend the borders from invasion The new government was immediately tested by events dealing with foreign relations, economic conditions and the settlement of western lands. Although the Articles experienced some success in dealing with western lands the general effectiveness of the articles was poor and created serious problems that threatened the survival of the young nation.
 * Setting:**
 * Basis for Analysis:**
 * Partitions:**
 * Thesis**


 * Outside Knowledge for each Partition:**

__Partition 1: Foreign Affairs__

No separate executive branch— Executive functions were dispersed among the committees of Congress Treaty of Paris, 1783 Barbary Pirates—no navy to protect commerce Jay-Gardoqui Treaty— guaranteed Spain’s EXCLUSIVE right to navigate the Mississippi River British occupy outposts in Northwest Territory British trade guns to Native Americans Native Americans hostile on frontier Negotiation and defense with Spain, Britain, France hampered by a lack of national military forces (state provided troops and money to national government

__Partition 2: Economics__ Debts of the Confederation—beg states for money States as well as Confederation issued currency and coined of money No power to tax or regulate trade No control of interstate commerce Depression –demands for inflation Annapolis Convention— some of the states met to discuss commercial problems and concluded the Articles of Confederation must be replaced with a stronger central government. Hamilton wrote the resolution which called the Philadelphia Convention. (1786) Shay’s Rebellion— MA protesters, including many war veterans, shut down county courts to stop judicial hearings for tax and debt collection. The hard times were caused generally by financial difficulties brought about by a post war economic depression, credit squeeze caused by a lack of hard currency. (1787)

__Partition 3: Western Land__ Maryland and other small states refused to ratify until cessation of western lands by states Congress was give control of western lands Northwest Ordinance of 1787
 * Prohibition of slavery in the Northwest
 * Process for territories becoming equal states

Critical Period-- Transition Period Each state retained its sovereignty and independence Duration 1781-1789 (Constitution) Allocation of power between the states and Confederation Congress Fear of strong central government—due to colonial experience, monarchy and taxation Absence of an executive
 * General Information:**