The Creation of the First Government of the United States: The Articles of Confederation

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The Creation of the First Government of the
United StatesThe Articles of Confederation
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We Need to Begin with a Basic Understanding of
Human Beings

• People tend to be
• Lazy
• Unmotivated
• Not trustworthy
• Searching for the easy way out

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Discussion Question

• According to the Declaration of Independence, all
  human beings have three rights that cannot be
  taken away from us. What are these rights?

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Discussion Question

• What is a government?

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Discussion Question

• Who acts as your government on a daily basis?

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Discussion Question

• What are the characteristics/traits of a good
  government?

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Discussion Question

• What are the characteristics of a bad government?

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Discussion Question

• What are some ways the government affects your
  life?

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Discussion Question

• Do we need a government? Why or why not?

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Where are we now?

• The United States has just won their freedom from
  Britain by fighting the American Revolutionary
  War
• The Treaty of Paris (1783) states that the U.S.
  controls all lands up to the Mississippi River
  except for Florida (Spain)
• Each state is very different in religion,
  climate, culture, economics, and government

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Where are we now?

• The United States really has not created a
  government because the Continental Congress,
  which met in Philadelphia, did not have time
  because they were fighting the war
• We have just fought our number one trading
  partner
• The U.S. is broke, has no federal police force,
  court system, or prison system.
• WE NEED A GOVERNMENT!

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The First U.S. Government

• The Articles of Confederation

• Made very weak on purpose
• No executive branch (cannot enforce laws)
• No Judicial branch (No court system)
• Cannot collect taxes (no income to pay for
  services)
• Allows each state to produce it own money
• Sold land for money (what happens when we run
  out)
• The A of C are a disaster!