3.4 The Articles of Confederation

The Articles of Confederation, America's first attempt at self-government, created a weak central authority. States held most power, with a single-chamber Congress lacking key abilities like taxing and trade regulation. This system struggled to address national issues effectively.

These limitations led to economic instability, weak national defense, and interstate conflicts. Events like Shays' Rebellion exposed the government's weaknesses, pushing leaders to call for the Constitutional Convention to create a stronger federal system.

Structure and Powers of the Articles of Confederation

Confederation of Sovereign States

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• Established a loose confederation of sovereign states with a weak central government
• Left most of the power with the state governments, preserving the idea of limited central government

Confederation Congress

• Single-chamber legislature called the Confederation Congress
• Each state had one vote regardless of size or population
• Authority to declare war, negotiate treaties, and manage foreign affairs
• Lacked the power to regulate trade, levy taxes, or enforce laws

Lack of Executive and Judiciary Branches

• No executive branch or national judiciary under the Articles of Confederation
• Enforcement of laws and resolution of disputes left to the states

Amendment Process

• Amendments to the Articles of Confederation required unanimous consent from all thirteen states
• Difficult to adapt the government to changing needs due to the stringent amendment process

Strengths and Weaknesses of the Articles of Confederation

Strengths

• Provided a framework for cooperation among the states during the American Revolution
• Maintained the independence and sovereignty of the states, a priority for many Americans who feared a strong central government

Weaknesses

• Lack of a strong central authority made it difficult to effectively address national issues (regulating trade, raising revenue, paying off war debts)
• No provision for a common currency, leading to economic instability and difficulties in interstate commerce
• Struggled to maintain a standing army and navy, leaving the nation vulnerable to foreign threats and domestic unrest

Challenges of the Confederation Congress

Inability to Levy Taxes

• Lacked the power to impose taxes, relying on voluntary contributions from the states
• Insufficient funds to meet the government's financial needs

Lack of Trade Regulation

• Could not effectively address economic disputes between states or establish a cohesive foreign trade policy
• Absence of a national judiciary made it difficult to resolve disputes between states and enforce limited laws

Unanimous Consent for Amendments

• Requirement of unanimous consent for amendments to the Articles of Confederation made necessary changes nearly impossible

Maintaining a Standing Army

• Struggled to maintain a standing army due to lack of power to draft soldiers or raise funds
• Left the nation vulnerable to foreign threats and domestic uprisings (Shays' Rebellion)

Events Leading to the Constitutional Convention

Newburgh Conspiracy

• Threat of military coup by unpaid Continental Army soldiers
• Highlighted the Confederation Congress's inability to raise funds and maintain a standing army

Trade Disputes and Economic Issues

• Failure to address trade disputes and economic issues between states (Tariff of 1785)
• Growing frustration among merchants and political leaders

Shays' Rebellion

• Armed uprising of farmers in Massachusetts protesting high taxes and debt
• Exposed the weakness of the central government in maintaining order and raised fears of anarchy

Annapolis Convention of 1786

• Originally called to discuss interstate trade issues
• Ended with a resolution calling for a Constitutional Convention to revise the Articles of Confederation

Growing Recognition of Inadequacy

• Political leaders (James Madison, Alexander Hamilton) recognized the Articles of Confederation were inadequate to address the nation's needs
• Required significant revision or replacement to strengthen the central government