Articles of Confederation

Definition

The Articles of Confederation was the first constitution of the United States, ratified in 1781, which established a framework for a national government. This document created a loose alliance of independent states, each retaining its sovereignty while granting limited powers to a central authority, which ultimately led to significant challenges in governance and prompted the need for a stronger federal system.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. The Articles of Confederation established a unicameral legislature with each state having one vote, regardless of size or population.
2. Under the Articles, the federal government could not impose taxes or regulate interstate commerce, leading to financial difficulties and economic instability.
3. The lack of a strong executive branch meant that there was no effective enforcement mechanism for laws passed by Congress.
4. Shays' Rebellion highlighted the weaknesses of the Articles, as it demonstrated the inability of the federal government to maintain order and respond to civil unrest.
5. The shortcomings of the Articles ultimately led to the Constitutional Convention, where compromises were made to create a stronger federal system outlined in the new Constitution.

Review Questions

• How did the structure of government under the Articles of Confederation impact the ability of key figures like George Washington and John Adams to address national issues?
  • The structure of government under the Articles of Confederation limited the power of key figures like George Washington and John Adams. With a weak central government that lacked an executive branch, these leaders had little authority to implement national policies or enforce laws. Their ability to address pressing issues such as interstate trade disputes or national defense was severely hindered, leading to frustration among leaders who recognized that a stronger federal system was needed.
• In what ways did Shays' Rebellion expose the deficiencies in the Articles of Confederation, prompting calls for reform?
  • Shays' Rebellion served as a critical turning point that exposed the deficiencies in the Articles of Confederation by demonstrating how poorly equipped the federal government was to handle civil unrest. The rebellion, led by distressed farmers facing heavy debts and high taxes, highlighted the inability of Congress to raise funds or maintain order due to its lack of coercive power. This event spurred public debate about the need for a more robust national government capable of addressing such crises effectively.
• Evaluate how the debates at the Constitutional Convention reflected concerns about both preserving state sovereignty and creating an effective national government in response to failures of the Articles of Confederation.
  • The debates at the Constitutional Convention were deeply influenced by concerns over balancing state sovereignty with the need for an effective national government due to failures of the Articles of Confederation. Delegates grappled with how much power should be granted to a central authority while ensuring that states retained significant control over their affairs. The resulting compromises, such as establishing a bicameral legislature and incorporating checks and balances, were designed to create a stronger federal framework while respecting the independence that states valued, ultimately addressing both concerns.

Related terms

Confederation: A union of sovereign groups or states that delegate certain powers to a central authority while retaining their independence.

Federalism: A system of government in which power is divided between a central authority and constituent political units, allowing for both national and local governance.

Constitutional Convention: The gathering that took place in 1787 where delegates met to address the weaknesses of the Articles of Confederation, ultimately leading to the drafting of the U.S. Constitution.