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The Articles of Confederation Take Effect
The Second Continental Congress was the provisional government of the United States during the American Revolution. They realized that a more permanent government would be necessary and agreed to develop what became known as the Articles of Confederation. In order for these to take effect, all 13 states needed to approve, which finally happened on March 1, 1781, when Maryland signed on. -
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The Articles of Confederation Govern the United States
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Soldiers Want to Be Paid - Newburgh Conspiracy
Soldiers requested economic support for their struggles during the war. Hard for them and their families, who were starving and losing their homes. They believed that they deserved money for that. There was the chance that the soldiers could simply walk away from their posts. The Congress culd not gain enough state support to pay the soldiers because many people in the states were afraid of standing armies and the power that those armies gave a central government. -
Spain Does Not Permit United States Shipping through the Gulf of Mexico
John Jay, in a letter to the 2nd Continental Congress, discussed the closure of the Mississippi River and the Gulf of Mexico to U.S. shipping. It was irresponsible of the U.S. to think that Spain would permit U.S. shipping. Article 8 of the Treaty of Paris (1783) said that the U.S. could use the river. The U.S. had no respect internationally, nor was their a diplomatic, economic, or military solution for them. -
Issues with Shipping and Trade
James McHenry, in a letter to George Washington, argued for the creation of a navy to protect exports. Some states wanted to put restrictions on imports and exports, but others, primarily in the South, opposed this because they felt they would lose money. A navy would prevent the British from taking U.S. goods and selling them as their own. This would allow the U.S. to export more than it imported. States continued to be afraid of a standing military presence. -
Congress Meets to Discuss Raising Revenue and Repaying War Debts
Congress was trying to determine how to restore public credit and repay the debts from the Revolution. Congress wanted to tax imported goods but not all of the states believe this to be a good idea. States realize that the prices for imported goods will rise because merchants will pass along the costs to their buyers. -
Continental Congress Votes to Amend the Articles of Confederation
One of the proposed amendments was that the government could levy taxes against the states. For every year the states did not pay their taxes, they were "fined" an additional 10%. Congress could not get enough states to go along with the plan. Requirements of the delegates to attend on the first Monday of the session each year because few delegates were showing up at all. Does not pass. -
Delegates from 5 State Legislatures meet in Annapolis, MD
States meet to discuss trade and commerce. Talks about defects in the national government, that upon closer examination they found more numerous. They considered the government to be an embarassment. With so few states represented, the delegates agree to meet again on the second Monday of May, 1787 in Philadelphia to reconsider the situation. -
Shays' Rebellion
In an address to the people of Hampshire County (MA), farmers in Western Massachusetts are deeply in debt. The debt is owed to domestic and foreign creditors. MA had passed a law to say that all taxes had to be paid for in specie. Unable to pay taxes this way, farms were reposessed by the government. Shays led farmers in revolt of this. They deny that the rebellion was instigated by the British. A way has to be figured out to deal with the debt. Congress can do nothing in dealing with this -
Report of Proceedings in Congress
Discussion is held about reforming the government because they decide that the Articles of Confederation are not working. The national government did not have enough power, and echo the call for a meeting in Philadelphia in May, 1787. What they want to have happen is for there to be changes in the Articles of Confederation. -
Opening the Philadelphia Convention
George Washington unanimously elected president of the convention. Its purpose was to fix the federal government.