-
in may 1776 congress asked the sates to organize their governments, each state adopted a state constitution or plan of government
-
the new central government had no chief executive. States were not required to contribute. By the 1780's seven of the original states lay claim to the areas in the west.
-
because of its weakness the confederation government had trouble with financial issues.
-
congress faced a collapse of the countries finances, in 1781 it created a department of finance led by Philadelphia merchant Robert morris.
-
trouble with foreign governments also revealed the weakness of the american government.
-
in 1785 the confederation congress passed an ordinance / law that set up a process to survey and sell the lands north of the Ohio river.
-
passed in 1787 created a single northwest territory from lands north of the Ohio river.