Articles of Confederation

Definition

The Articles of Confederation was the first governing document of the United States, adopted in 1781, that established a confederation of sovereign states and a weak central government. This framework aimed to unify the states while preserving their independence but ultimately proved ineffective due to its inability to enforce laws and regulate commerce.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. The Articles created a loose alliance among the thirteen states, giving each state one vote in Congress regardless of size or population.
2. The federal government had no power to tax, which left it unable to pay debts or fund its operations.
3. Amendments to the Articles required unanimous consent from all thirteen states, making it extremely difficult to enact any changes.
4. The lack of a national army meant that the federal government could not enforce laws or protect against internal rebellions or external threats.
5. The weaknesses of the Articles led to the Constitutional Convention of 1787, where the current U.S. Constitution was drafted to create a stronger federal government.

Review Questions

• How did the weaknesses of the Articles of Confederation contribute to conflicts within states and between the federal government and the states?
  • The Articles of Confederation established a weak central government that lacked authority to tax or enforce laws, leading to significant conflicts both within individual states and between state governments and the federal structure. For instance, without the power to collect taxes, many states faced economic challenges and could not support their own military needs. This contributed to events like Shays' Rebellion, where citizens protested against economic hardship and demanded better government response, showcasing how ineffective governance created unrest.
• Evaluate how the Articles of Confederation influenced the decision to convene the Constitutional Convention in 1787.
  • The inadequacies of the Articles of Confederation directly influenced leaders to convene the Constitutional Convention as they recognized that a stronger national framework was essential for maintaining order and unity among the states. The inability to regulate commerce or enforce laws highlighted the need for a more robust federal structure. As delegates gathered in Philadelphia, they aimed not just to amend the Articles but to create an entirely new governing document that would address these critical weaknesses and establish a more effective system.
• Assess the long-term impacts of the Articles of Confederation on American governance and its evolution towards federalism.
  • The Articles of Confederation laid the groundwork for American governance by illustrating the challenges of a decentralized system and highlighting the need for a balance between state and federal powers. The failures experienced under the Articles prompted a transition toward federalism, establishing a more effective national government through the U.S. Constitution. This evolution not only strengthened federal authority but also allowed for more cohesive governance, setting precedents for how state and national powers would interact in future legislation and policy-making.

Related terms

Confederation: A union of sovereign groups or states united for purposes of common action, often in relation to defense or foreign affairs.

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

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