The first attempt at a national government in the US; a loose confederation of states with a weak central government.

Approval of a state constitution by the people, setting a precedent for the national Constitution.

Legislation that organized western lands into townships and provided for public education.

Legislation that established a process for new states to join the Union and banned slavery in the Northwest Territory.

A series of armed protests in Massachusetts (1786-1787) led by Daniel Shays, highlighting the weaknesses of the Articles of Confederation.

A list of individual liberties protected by a state constitution.

A system where legislators are elected annually, ensuring accountability.

Controlling and managing trade activities, especially between states or with foreign countries.

Making changes or additions to the Articles of Confederation, which required unanimous consent.

A system of courts at the federal level to settle disputes between states and interpret national laws.

They were the first experiments in self-rule after declaring independence, establishing key principles like bills of rights and yearly elections.

Organized western lands into townships, provided for public education, and allowed the government to sell land to pay off debt; 1785.

Established a process for new states to join the Union, banned slavery in the Northwest Territory, and set up territorial governance; 1787.

Armed protests in Massachusetts (1786-1787) that exposed the weaknesses of the Articles of Confederation and the need for a stronger central government.

Massachusetts submitted its constitution to the people for ratification, setting a precedent for the national Constitution.

Exposed the weaknesses of the Articles of Confederation and directly led to the Constitutional Convention.

To establish a national government after the Revolutionary War, but it created a weak central government with limited powers.

Conducting foreign relations and regulating trade between states, but it could not tax or regulate commerce effectively.

Each state constitution included bills of rights to protect individual liberties.

States fought over trade, making it difficult to do business and hindering economic growth.

Cause: The central government had no power to tax. Effect: The government was always short of money, hindering its ability to function effectively.

Cause: The central government had no power to regulate trade. Effect: States fought over trade, making it difficult to do business and hindering economic growth.

Cause: The central government had no power to enforce laws. Effect: The government depended on the states for law enforcement, leading to inconsistent application of laws.

Cause: Approval of 9/13 states was needed to enact laws. Effect: It was difficult to enact laws due to disagreements among the states, leading to gridlock.

Cause: 13/13 states needed to approve amendments. Effect: There was no practical way to change or amend the powers of the government when problems arose.

Cause: The government had no executive branch. Effect: There was no effective way to coordinate the work of the government.

Cause: There was no national court system. Effect: The central government had no way to settle disputes among the states.

Causes: Heavy debt, high taxes, foreclosures. Effects: Exposed the weaknesses of the Articles, led to calls for a stronger central government, and the Constitutional Convention.

Cause: Need to organize western lands and pay off national debt. Effect: Organized western lands, provided for public education, allowed the government to sell land.

Cause: Need to establish a process for new states and address slavery. Effect: Established a process for new states, banned slavery in the Northwest Territory, set up territorial governance.