National Government

Definition

The National Government refers to the central authority established to govern a nation, responsible for creating and enforcing laws, conducting foreign relations, and overseeing various aspects of national administration. In the context of the Articles of Confederation, the National Government was intended to unite the individual states while providing a framework for collective decision-making. However, the limited powers granted under this first governing document highlighted weaknesses in federal authority, which eventually led to calls for a stronger central government.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. Under the Articles of Confederation, the National Government lacked the power to levy taxes, which made it difficult to fund its operations and pay off war debts.
2. The National Government could not regulate interstate commerce, leading to economic disputes and trade barriers between states.
3. Decisions required the approval of nine out of thirteen states, making it challenging to pass important legislation.
4. The National Government had no executive branch or national judiciary, resulting in an inability to enforce laws or resolve disputes effectively.
5. The weaknesses of the National Government under the Articles prompted the Constitutional Convention of 1787, leading to the creation of a stronger federal government with a new Constitution.

Review Questions

• How did the design of the National Government under the Articles of Confederation reflect the colonists' fears of centralized authority?
  • The design of the National Government under the Articles of Confederation was heavily influenced by the colonists' experiences with British rule, leading them to favor a system that limited central authority. The framers were wary of a powerful federal government that could impose tyranny, so they created a structure that emphasized state sovereignty and granted very limited powers to the National Government. This resulted in a weak federal system that struggled to address national issues effectively, highlighting the tension between state independence and the need for centralized governance.
• Evaluate how the limitations placed on the National Government affected its ability to function effectively during its early years.
  • The limitations imposed on the National Government under the Articles of Confederation severely hindered its ability to function effectively. Without power to levy taxes or regulate commerce, it struggled financially and could not maintain a standing army or pay debts incurred during the Revolutionary War. This lack of authority led to instability among states and conflicts over trade and tariffs. Ultimately, these inefficiencies demonstrated the need for a more robust national framework, which became evident in events such as Shays' Rebellion that underscored the failures of the existing government.
• Synthesize how the challenges faced by the National Government under the Articles of Confederation contributed to the emergence of a new Constitution.
  • The challenges faced by the National Government under the Articles of Confederation were instrumental in driving delegates toward drafting a new Constitution. The inability to tax, regulate trade, and enforce laws created significant economic turmoil and disunity among states. Events like Shays' Rebellion illustrated that a weak central government could not maintain order or protect property rights. These realities led to a consensus that stronger federal authority was necessary for effective governance, resulting in the Constitutional Convention of 1787 where leaders debated and ultimately replaced the Articles with a more powerful federal structure.

Related terms

Articles of Confederation:

The first constitution of the United States, adopted in 1781, which established a loose confederation of sovereign states and a weak central government.

Confederation:

A union of sovereign groups or states united for purposes of common action, often characterized by a weak central authority.

Federalism:

A system of governance in which power is divided between a central authority and constituent political units, such as states.