The Articles of Confederation

Definition

The Articles of Confederation was the first written constitution of the United States, ratified in 1781, which established a loose confederation of sovereign states and a weak central government. This framework was designed to maintain the independence of each state while allowing for collective action in certain areas, such as foreign affairs and defense. However, its limitations led to significant challenges, especially in addressing issues such as taxation and interstate commerce.

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 its size or population.
2. Under the Articles, Congress lacked the power to levy taxes or regulate trade, which hindered its ability to raise funds or manage economic issues effectively.
3. Amendments to the Articles required unanimous consent from all thirteen states, making it extremely difficult to adapt to changing circumstances.
4. The lack of a strong executive branch or national judiciary under the Articles meant that enforcement of laws and resolutions was often ineffective.
5. The weaknesses of the Articles were exposed during events like Shays' Rebellion, which demonstrated the need for a stronger federal government.

Review Questions

• How did the structure of government under the Articles of Confederation contribute to its inability to effectively govern the new nation?
  • The Articles created a weak central government with no executive branch and a unicameral legislature where each state had equal representation. This structure made it difficult for Congress to enforce laws, collect taxes, or regulate commerce. The lack of centralized authority led to fragmentation and conflicts between states, making it nearly impossible to address issues that required coordinated action.
• In what ways did Shays' Rebellion illustrate the shortcomings of the Articles of Confederation?
  • Shays' Rebellion highlighted how the Articles failed to provide a strong response to internal unrest and economic distress. The inability of Congress to raise troops or levy taxes meant that states had to fend for themselves. This uprising underscored the urgent need for a stronger federal government capable of maintaining order and addressing citizens' grievances, ultimately leading to calls for constitutional reform.
• Evaluate how the limitations imposed by the Articles of Confederation influenced the decisions made at the Constitutional Convention in 1787.
  • The limitations of the Articles of Confederation were crucial in shaping the discussions at the Constitutional Convention. Delegates recognized that without a stronger federal government, issues like interstate commerce and national defense would remain unresolved. This led to significant changes, such as creating a bicameral legislature, establishing an executive branch, and empowering Congress with taxation and regulation abilities, all designed to ensure a more functional and responsive government.

Related terms

Confederation: A union of sovereign states, where each member retains its independence while delegating limited powers to a central authority.

Shays' Rebellion: An armed uprising in 1786-1787 led by farmers in Massachusetts protesting economic injustices and the lack of government response, highlighting the weaknesses of the Articles.

Constitutional Convention: The 1787 meeting in Philadelphia where delegates convened to address the problems of the Articles of Confederation, ultimately leading to the drafting of the current U.S. Constitution.