Articles of Confederation

Definition

The Articles of Confederation were the first governing document of the United States, adopted in 1781, which established a confederation of sovereign states and a weak central government. This document aimed to unify the states under a central authority while preserving their independence, but it ultimately faced significant challenges related to economic stability and federal authority, especially in the post-war context.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. The Articles of Confederation created a loose alliance among the thirteen states, granting limited powers to the central government, such as conducting foreign affairs and making treaties.
2. One major flaw was that Congress could not levy taxes or regulate commerce, leading to financial instability and interstate trade disputes.
3. The lack of an executive branch meant there was no centralized enforcement of laws or policies, causing issues with law implementation and compliance.
4. The inability to amend the Articles without unanimous consent from all thirteen states made it difficult to adapt to changing circumstances or address its weaknesses.
5. Shays' Rebellion underscored the weaknesses of the Articles and prompted calls for a stronger national government, ultimately leading to the Constitutional Convention.

Review Questions

• How did the structure of government established by the Articles of Confederation contribute to post-war economic challenges?
  • The Articles of Confederation established a weak central government that lacked essential powers such as taxing and regulating trade. This resulted in significant economic challenges after the war, as Congress could not raise revenue to pay debts or support military operations. States acted independently, leading to trade barriers and competition among them, further exacerbating economic instability.
• Evaluate the impact of Shays' Rebellion on public perception of the Articles of Confederation and its effectiveness.
  • Shays' Rebellion had a profound impact on public perception regarding the effectiveness of the Articles of Confederation. The uprising revealed how state governments were unable to handle civil unrest and economic hardship effectively. Many leaders began to view a stronger national government as necessary for maintaining order and ensuring economic stability, prompting discussions that ultimately led to the Constitutional Convention.
• Assess the reasons why the Articles of Confederation were replaced by the U.S. Constitution, highlighting key factors that drove this transition.
  • The Articles of Confederation were replaced due to their inherent weaknesses that hindered effective governance. Key factors included financial instability caused by Congress's inability to levy taxes, conflicts between states over trade regulations, and social unrest exemplified by Shays' Rebellion. These issues highlighted the need for a stronger federal structure capable of managing both economic policy and interstate relations, leading to calls for a Constitutional Convention where the U.S. Constitution was drafted to address these critical governance challenges.

Related terms

Shays' Rebellion: An armed uprising in 1786-1787 by Massachusetts farmers protesting economic injustices and the inability of the state government to address their grievances, highlighting the weaknesses of the Articles of Confederation.

Federalism: A system of government where power is divided between a central authority and constituent political units, which became a key concept in the debates leading to the drafting of the U.S. Constitution after the shortcomings of the Articles.

Constitutional Convention: A gathering in 1787 aimed at addressing the weaknesses of the Articles of Confederation, resulting in the drafting of the U.S. Constitution, which established a stronger federal government.