CONSTITUTIONAL CONGRESS

WASHINGTON CALLED A MEETING BETWEEN VIRGINIA AND MARYLAND TO RECONCILE A DISPUTE OVER FISHING RIGHTS. WHEN WASHINGTON RESOLVED THE DISPUTE, A 'TRADE CONFERENCE' WAS CALLED.. 5 STATES SHOWED UP THEN ANOTHER INVITATION WAS SENT TO ALL 13 STATES INVITING THEM TO A CONSTITUTIONAL CONGRESS WHICH THEN PROCEEDED

freedom

Some people dont value their freedom because the live in their own emotional or financial bondage

Uses of federal govt

Raise revenue.. Eg revolutionary war.. Lac of pay to troops almost caused military rebelion.

1) protect against foreign invasion
2) defend against internal commotions and insurrections
3) promote the commerce, agriculture, and manufactures interests of america

Under the articles, the unites states as a country was to weak tobe respected.
The articles did not allow for majority rule, a single state had the power to veto and could ruin even the most important public measures

The articles gave no power to carry out decrees.. Any state could ignore a decree that requires cooperation of all.

States treating citizens of neighbor states like aliens

States could break the rules of confederation with no consequence.

The united states as a nation was bankrupt

Europe had the power to play one state against another unti they were twisted up in a 'labrynth of european politics'

The leaders call for a constitution to seal the united states as a strong independant country

'united they would stand, divided they were falling'

inflation

To fund the war congress made a serious error by printing nearly 200 million dollars worth of paper currency with hopes the states would buy the currency with state taxes.. Instead they followed their example and printed their own money! Prices went way up to match the supply of money. Their money became worthless.. The continental dolar becoming less valuable than a penny, even the states stopped accepting it for debts. Some states foolishly fixed prices which caused shortages which resulted in black markets which resulted in bribery and crime. Elderly living on fixed incomes (eg $200/month) became destitute as the price of living shot up thousands of percent. Creditors shut their doors rather than be paid in dollars that next week would be worth nothing.

revolution

After the war ended many soldiers revolted against the congress because they were neglected ignored and not paid. One general washintons colonels begged wahington to take control and be king george I of america. Of all the sorrows washinton sawin the war he claimed this request as the greatest of all. I think he felt all the fighting was in vain as his army didnt value the freedom they had just fought and died for a they were actually asking or another king! They had been so used to thinking 'let king george take care of it' they werent ready for the responsibilities accompanying freedom
Washington was able to quell the rebellion with only a few words. While standing in front of his men, he pulled out a letter from the congress listing proposed solutions to their grievances.. Unable to read the small print he pulled out his spectacles and apologized saying 'Gentlemen, you will permit me to put on my spectacles,for u have not only grown gray but almost blind in the service of my country' immediatly tears sprang from his officers eyes and with this statement struck a powerful blow to the soldiers unrest