Houghton Mifflin Social Studies
Chapter 3, Lesson 3: The Crisis of Confederation (pp. 95-99)
I. A Critical Period in Finance and Trade
B. Under the Articles, the central government could not tax citizens or regulate commerce--the buying and selling of goods among states and with foreign nations.
C. In spite of the weak central government, international trade grew in the 1780s.
II. Success in Land Policy
B. All new states would be equal with the original states, and Congress promised to protect rights and liberties in the new states and territories.
C. The Northwest Ordinance promised to respect American Indians' rights and outlawed slavery in the territory.
B. Congress authorized a convention in Philadelphia in May 1787 to consider the problems with the Articles.
Lesson at a Glance Outline
A. Each state printed its own money under the Articles of Confederation, causing problems in trade between states.
A. The Northwest Ordinance, passed 1787, created a three-step process for territories to become states.
III. Government at a Standstill
A. Concerned that government under the Articles was too weak, Americans began working to revise the Articles.
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