2.2 The Articles of Confederation

After the American Revolution, the newly independent United States needed a system of governance. The Articles of Confederation, ratified in 1781, provided a loose framework for the 13 states to operate under. However, this system had significant flaws.

The Articles created a weak central government with limited powers. Each state retained significant autonomy, making it difficult to address national issues. These weaknesses ultimately led to the creation of a new Constitution in 1787, establishing a stronger federal system.

Establishing Governance and the Articles of Confederation

Governance after American Revolution

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• Second Continental Congress served as the de facto government during the American Revolution
  • Managed colonial war effort coordinated military strategy and supplies
  • Issued the Declaration of Independence on July 4, 1776 formally severed ties with Great Britain
• Articles of Confederation drafted in 1777 as the first written constitution of the United States
  • Ratified by all 13 states in 1781 after lengthy debates and compromises
• Served as the governing document of the United States from 1781 to 1789 established a framework for a loose confederation of states

Structure of Articles of Confederation

• Established a loose confederation of sovereign states each state retained a high degree of autonomy
  • Each state retained its sovereignty, freedom, and independence states had the power to make their own laws and constitutions
• Created a weak central government with limited powers intentionally designed to prevent a strong federal authority
  • Legislative branch: Unicameral Congress with equal representation from each state regardless of population size
  • No executive or judicial branches led to difficulties in enforcing laws and resolving disputes
• Congress had the power to:
  • Declare war and make peace but could not raise an army or navy
  • Manage foreign affairs negotiate treaties and alliances
  • Coin money but could not regulate the value of currency
  • Establish post offices to facilitate communication between states
• Amendments required unanimous consent of all states made it difficult to make changes to the Articles
• No power to levy taxes or regulate commerce among states led to financial instability and economic competition between states

Weaknesses of Articles of Confederation

• Lack of a strong central government hindered the ability to effectively govern the nation
  • No power to enforce laws or collect taxes relied on voluntary compliance from states
  • Reliant on voluntary contributions from states to fund the federal government
• Economic issues arose due to lack of centralized control
  • No power to regulate interstate commerce, leading to trade wars between states
  • States printed their own currency led to economic instability and fluctuations in currency value
• Difficulty in amending the Articles prevented necessary changes to the government structure
  • Required unanimous consent of all states even a single state could block amendments
• Foreign policy challenges stemmed from the perception of a weak central authority
  • Inability to effectively negotiate with foreign powers other nations exploited the lack of a unified front
  • Lack of respect from other nations due to weak central government diminished the international standing of the United States
• Shays' Rebellion (1786-1787) highlighted the need for a stronger central government exposed the weaknesses of the Articles
  • Farmers in Massachusetts revolted against high taxes and debt demanded relief from economic hardships
  • Exposed the weakness of the government under the Articles of Confederation inability to effectively respond to internal crises

Transition to a New Government

• The weaknesses of the Articles of Confederation led to calls for reform
• A Constitutional Convention was called in 1787 to address these issues
• The Convention ultimately decided to create a new constitution rather than amend the Articles
• The new Constitution established a federal system (federalism) with a stronger central government
• The Constitution required ratification by nine of the thirteen states to take effect
• The national debt accumulated during the Revolutionary War was a major concern addressed in the new Constitution
• The new government was given the power to regulate both interstate and foreign commerce to prevent economic conflicts between states