3.1 Structure and Weaknesses of the Articles of Confederation

The Articles of Confederation, America's first constitution, created a weak central government with a unicameral legislature. States held most power, each getting one vote in Congress regardless of size. The system lacked executive and judicial branches, limiting federal authority.

This structure led to major problems. The government couldn't tax or regulate trade, leaving it broke and powerless. States fought over commerce and printed worthless money. When Shays' Rebellion erupted, the feds couldn't even raise an army to stop it.

Structure of the Articles of Confederation

Unicameral Legislative System

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• Articles of Confederation served as America's first constitution after independence from Great Britain
• Established a unicameral legislature called the Confederation Congress
• Each state received one vote in Congress regardless of population size
• Delegates appointed by state legislatures represented their state's interests
• Congress held limited powers focused primarily on foreign affairs and national defense

Absence of Executive and Judicial Branches

• Lacked a separate executive branch to enforce laws or carry out governmental functions
• Congress appointed committees or individuals to handle executive tasks on an ad-hoc basis
• No federal court system existed to interpret laws or resolve disputes between states
• State courts retained jurisdiction over most legal matters
• Disputes between states resolved through Congressional arbitration

Congressional Limitations and State Authority

• Congress required approval from 9 out of 13 states to pass major legislation
• Individual states retained significant autonomy in domestic affairs
• States could issue their own currency and impose tariffs on other states
• No mechanism existed to force states to comply with Congressional decisions
• Central government remained weak while states maintained considerable independence

Weaknesses in Governing Power

Financial Constraints

• Confederation lacked authority to directly tax citizens or states
• Relied on voluntary contributions from states to fund operations
• States often failed to provide requested funds, leaving the government in constant financial distress
• Unable to pay off Revolutionary War debts or compensate soldiers
• Printing of worthless paper money led to rampant inflation

Economic and Trade Challenges

• Congress unable to regulate interstate or foreign commerce
• States implemented conflicting trade policies and tariffs
• Hindered economic growth and international trade negotiations
• British and Spanish restricted American access to valuable markets and trade routes
• Lack of uniform currency complicated financial transactions between states

Structural Rigidity

• Amendments to the Articles required unanimous approval from all 13 states
• Made it nearly impossible to address structural weaknesses or adapt to changing circumstances
• Rhode Island's repeated vetoes prevented passage of an import tax to fund the national government
• Inflexibility of the amendment process contributed to the eventual call for a new constitution

State Sovereignty and Its Consequences

Primacy of State Authority

• Articles emphasized state sovereignty over centralized federal power
• States viewed themselves as independent entities loosely bound by confederation
• Retained control over most aspects of governance (taxation, law enforcement, militia)
• Often prioritized local interests over national concerns
• Led to inconsistent policies and lack of unity in addressing national issues

Internal Instability and Rebellion

• Shays' Rebellion in Massachusetts highlighted weaknesses of the Confederation
• Economic hardships and high taxes led farmers to revolt against state government
• Confederation Congress unable to raise an army to suppress the rebellion
• Private militia funded by merchants eventually put down the uprising
• Demonstrated inability of central government to maintain domestic order
• Sparked fears of anarchy and calls for stronger federal authority
• Influenced many leaders to support Constitutional Convention for government reform