The term "regulate commerce" refers to the ability of a governing body to control and oversee trade and business activities within its jurisdiction. In the context of the Articles of Confederation, it specifically refers to the power or lack thereof for the Confederation Congress to regulate interstate commerce.
Related terms
Interstate Commerce: This term refers to trade or economic transactions that occur between different states within a country.
Ineffectiveness: The inability of the Confederation Congress to regulate commerce highlights its overall ineffectiveness in governing and addressing pressing issues at the national level.
Shays' Rebellion: Shays' Rebellion was an armed uprising by farmers in Massachusetts who were burdened with debt due to economic hardships. It demonstrated the weaknesses of the Articles of Confederation in dealing with economic turmoil and highlighted the need for stronger federal authority in regulating commerce.