Articles of Confederation

Definition

The Articles of Confederation were the first written constitution of the United States, adopted in 1781, that established a confederation of sovereign states and a weak central government. This framework aimed to preserve the independence of each state while providing a unified front for common defense and other collective interests, reflecting the experiences and fears of the newly independent colonies regarding centralized authority.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. The Articles established a unicameral legislature where each state had one vote, regardless of size or population, which made it difficult to enact legislation.
2. Under the Articles, there was no executive branch or national court system, leaving enforcement and interpretation of laws up to individual states.
3. The federal government lacked the power to tax or regulate commerce, leading to financial instability and trade difficulties among states.
4. Amendments to the Articles required unanimous consent from all thirteen states, making it nearly impossible to adapt to changing circumstances.
5. The failure of the Articles to create a strong central government contributed to issues like Shays' Rebellion, prompting calls for a stronger federal framework.

Review Questions

• How did the structure of government under the Articles of Confederation reflect the colonies' experiences with British rule?
  • The structure under the Articles was designed to limit central authority, reflecting the colonies' desire to avoid the oppressive governance they experienced under British rule. With a weak central government and strong state sovereignty, the Articles aimed to maintain independence for each state while providing a cooperative framework for defense and diplomacy. However, this led to significant challenges in governance and unity as states often prioritized their interests over collective action.
• Evaluate the effectiveness of the Articles of Confederation in addressing economic issues faced by post-Revolution America.
  • The Articles were largely ineffective in addressing economic issues since they did not grant Congress the power to tax or regulate interstate commerce. This lack of authority hindered the government's ability to generate revenue and manage debts incurred during the Revolutionary War. As a result, states acted independently, leading to trade barriers and economic strife that fueled discontent and highlighted the need for a stronger national government.
• Discuss the implications of Shays' Rebellion on public perception of the Articles of Confederation and subsequent constitutional reform.
  • Shays' Rebellion had significant implications for public perception regarding the Articles of Confederation as it exposed critical weaknesses in national governance. The uprising demonstrated that a lack of centralized authority could lead to civil unrest and social upheaval. This event galvanized support for reforming the government structure, culminating in the Constitutional Convention where delegates sought to create a more robust federal system that could effectively address issues like rebellion and economic instability.

Related terms

Shays' Rebellion: An armed uprising in 1786-1787 led by Massachusetts farmers protesting economic injustices and the lack of governmental support, which highlighted the weaknesses of the Articles of Confederation.

Constitutional Convention: A gathering held in 1787 in Philadelphia to address the problems of the Articles of Confederation, ultimately leading to the drafting of a new U.S. Constitution that established a stronger federal government.

Sovereignty: The authority of a state to govern itself or another state; under the Articles, states retained significant sovereignty, which contributed to difficulties in national governance.