Adrian D. Galindo
Christopher Shelly
History 201
December 09, 2014
Final
Rebel
Shays rebellion changed the way we view politics and our government. Small farmers with pitch forks and rifles made a change within American society and how they would be represented in their government. The revolt changed perspective upon how the government would intervene upon the economical, social , and justice disputes between the states and its citizens.
In 1777 the Second Continental Congress was made up of a group of guys who represented their state and were instrumental on declaring independence. Although they may had the position did they quickly realized they didn’t have the power? The states got the point where the each state started to become able to build a military and getting generals and paying for it in a crooked manner.
Although each state was becoming more “able” noticed that they really didn’t have any lawful authority to progress and organize the society. The representatives from each state came together and decided they needed a stronger “central” government. In 1777 these man drafted, which will become and known as the first official government of American; Articles of the Confederation. It didn’t get ratified fully until 1981. Article 1 established the confederacy to be The United States of
America. Thomas Jefferson has already noted this label or representation as “United states of America
‘in the Declarations of Independence so it was widely adopted. Article 2, claims that the each state claims its sovereignty, freedom and independence, jurisdiction and rights not expressed still belongs to the states. Each state was perfectly independent nation states and sovereign at this time, which is important to keep in mind.
The responsibilities each state held was delegated by the Confederation Congress, the states were able to send as many delegates wanted for representation of their state; although each state
Adrian D. Galindo
Christopher Shelly
History 201
December 09, 2014
Final
gets one vote. To be able to pass laws you need nine votes or unanimous decision. This was an issue already because it took too long to pass laws or responsibilities. The congress needed a way to delegate power so they created committees that dealt with foreign affairs, Indian affairs, war etc. The committees had to be in favor of the Confederation and not upon their individual state. These committees came up with ideas or laws and “congress” which was made up of delegates from each state, would vote upon passing or declining the law. Under the Articles of Confederation they really haven’t formed a new country yet because the government not sovereign. The confederation congress couldn’t pass laws that would affect the citizens of the states Key word being citizens. All states are required to make their own tax assessments and congress would make a requisition per state. We need to keep in mind that each state at this time had limited resources and citizens of the states were scarce and at times unwilling to give up resources for the Confederation. The confederation congress had no power to enforce the requisitions. The Confederation at this time doesn’t resemble a nation country, it’s more like the United Nation or NATO; a mutual alliance between each state and defense pack against foreign or domestic affairs. Confederation congress only power was to encourage a law but cannot actively pass any direct law against any citizens. They only reason why the states decided to become part of the alliance and not independent republics was to defeat the British. The states has created a government of the states; if it was made by states the states can abolish it.
Two important factor came out of the Article of Confederation and that was in 1785 the
Confederation passed the Land Ordinance that made each state give up their land claims out west of state property. Which now anything out west belongs to Confederation Congress and the land ordinance established a
