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Articles of Confederation Take Effect
The Second Continental Congress was the provisional government of the United States during the American Revolution. They realized that a more permanent government would be necessary and agreed to develop what became known as the Articles of Confederation. In order for these to take effect, all 13 states needed to approve, which finally happened on March 1, 1781, when Maryland signed on -
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Articles of Confederation
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Soldiers Want to Be Paid - Newburgh Conspriacy
Soldiers refused to fight because they were working very hard but were not getting paid for their labor. To show their displeasure, soldiers in Newburgh, NY, threatened to walk away. "Any further experiments on their patients may have fatal effects." The states believed that standing armies were a threat to individual security and would not pay for such an army. They would have preferred to rely on their state militia. -
Spain Does Not Permit United States Shipping through the Gulf of Mexico
John Jay, in a letter to the 2nd Continental Congress, discussed the closure of the Mississippi River and the Gulf of Mexico to U.S. shipping. It was irresponsible of the U.S. to think that Spain would permit U.S. shipping. Article 8 of the Treaty of Paris (1783) said that the U.S. could use the river. The U.S. had no respect internationally, nor was their a diplomatic, economic, or military solution for them. -
Issues with Shipping and Trade
James McHenry, in a letter to George Washington, argued for the creation of a navy to protect exports. Some states wanted to put restrictions on imports and exports, but others, primarily in the South, opposed this because they felt they would lose money. A navy would prevent the British from taking U.S. goods and selling them as their own. This would allow the U.S. to export more than it imported. States continued to be afraid of a standing military presence. -
Congress Meets to Discuss Raising Revenue and Repaying War Debts
Congress was trying to determine how to restore public credit and repay the debts from the Revolution. Congress wanted to tax imported goods but not all of the states believe this to be a good idea. States realize that the prices for imported goods will rise because merchants will pass along the costs to their buyers. -
Congress Seeks to Make Amendments to the Articles of Confederation
One of the amendments suggested that Congress should be the only group to regulate trade. Another that said states had to pay taxes in a reasonable time in order to pass laws. Another, each state had to have at least one representative in Congress. They do not pass.