Transcript Treaty of Paris - Pendleton County Schools

The United States During the
Articles of Confederation
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The Treaty of Paris was
signed in 1783 in Paris,
France.
The 3 important parts:
 Great Britain agreed to
recognize the United States
as an independent nation
 Great Britain would give up
land claims between the
Atlantic Coast and Mississippi
River and from Canada south
to Florida
 Americans agreed to return
all rights and property that
had been taken from loyalists
during the war
The United States was
unstable under the Articles of
Confederation. States
constantly disagreed with
one another and the country
continued to have problems
with other nations.
 Before the late 1800’s, “the
West” was considered the
next area of settlement, as
pioneers moved into
traditional territories, Native
Americans would be pushed
further west off of their land.
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Under the Articles of Confederation Congress
had no power to meet the needs of
westerners. It had no money to force the
British from the forts in the North, and was
unable to purchase Native American land, or
protect the settlers.
Basically Americans claimed land simply by
settling the land. This caused many land
disputes.
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To provide a more
orderly way to settle the
land north of the Ohio
River, Congress passed
the Land of 1785. This
law would be a money
maker for Congress.
The Roman system of
rectangular surveying
was used, rather than
drawing property lines
by trees, rock piles, and
other natural markers.
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Land was no less than $1
an acre in 640 acre
tracks= 1 square mile.
These tracts were called
sections and money
from every 16th section
was to be set aside for
public schools. The
beginning of federal
assistance for education
in America.
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There was one problem…..$640 needed to
buy a section of land was way to high for
most settlers.
Speculation Companies would come in and
buy large sections then carve them up, selling
less than complete sections for more than $1
an acre. Thus settlers could purchase the
acreage, large or small, that they could
afford.

How to govern new
territories was the
question…..
THE PROVISIONS
 At least 3 no more than
5 territories could be
formed out of this area.
 Each territory would
have an appointed
governor and 3 judges
until there was enough
settlers to become a
state.
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Once the territory had 5,000 white males, it could
elect a legislature.
When the territory had 60,000 settlers, the people
could write a constitution and apply for statehood.
The government had to be a republic, or one in which
representatives are elected to govern the people.
Lastly the territories had to grant freedom of religion,
trial by jury for those accused of crimes, and had to
outlaw slavery.
From 1803-1848 five new states formed: Ohio,
Indiana, Illinois, Michigan, and Wisconsin.
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Major problem….under the Articles the
national government or Congress had no
power to collect taxes. They would have to
rely on the states to give them money.
Congress was printing money that couldn’t
be backed up with silver or gold.
Each state also printed its own money
No one knew what anything was worth. It
caused a lot of confusion and arguing
between states.
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The financial situation caused American
businesses to decline and unemployment to
rise causing an economic depression.
Great Britain passed laws making it difficult
for American ships to enter its ports as a
result many merchants found themselves in
debt and shipbuilding and shipping industries
declined.
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During the Revolution
food was in high
demand. Farmers
borrowed money to
purchase more land to
grow more food.
However after the war
farmers grew too much
food and couldn’t sell it.
Thus they didn’t have
the money needed to
pay their debts.
Banks start taking farmers’
land for not repaying their
debt. Some in Massachusetts
even went to JAIL.
 This led to Shays
Rebellion…..Farmers, led my
Daniel Shays, attacked and
closed the courts in two
Massachusetts counties.
 In response Massachusetts
raised a militia to fight Shays'
group, the militia was able to
stop Shays and his men but
this would be an eye opener
for America.
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Americans now realized
that the United States
did not have an effective
government.
Many believed it was
time to either rewrite or
throw out the Articles of
Confederation.
The states will call for a
CONVENTION to revise
the Articles.