Articles of Confederation

Definition

The Articles of Confederation were the first constitution of the United States, adopted in 1781, which established a loose confederation of sovereign states and a weak central government. This document aimed to unite the thirteen original states while preserving their independence and sovereignty, but it ultimately revealed significant weaknesses in governance and led to the drafting of a stronger Constitution in 1787.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. The Articles created a unicameral legislature, meaning there was only one legislative body without an executive branch or national judiciary.
2. Under the Articles, Congress could not levy taxes or regulate commerce, which severely limited its ability to respond to economic crises.
3. Each state had one vote in Congress regardless of size or population, leading to issues with representation and decision-making.
4. The requirement for unanimous consent among all thirteen states to amend the Articles made it nearly impossible to address its shortcomings.
5. The failure of the Articles of Confederation to effectively govern led directly to the Constitutional Convention and the development of a stronger federal government under the U.S. Constitution.

Review Questions

• How did the structure of government established by the Articles of Confederation impact its effectiveness?
  • The Articles of Confederation established a weak central government with a unicameral legislature that lacked an executive branch and a national judiciary. This structure made it difficult for Congress to enact laws or enforce them effectively since it had no power to tax or regulate commerce. As a result, the government struggled to address pressing issues such as debt repayment and interstate trade disputes, which led to growing dissatisfaction among the states.
• Discuss how events like Shays' Rebellion illustrated the weaknesses of the Articles of Confederation and prompted calls for reform.
  • Shays' Rebellion was a significant event that highlighted the weaknesses of the Articles of Confederation. The uprising was fueled by economic distress among farmers who faced heavy tax burdens and lack of governmental support. The inability of Congress to quell the rebellion underscored its lack of power and authority, leading many leaders to recognize that a stronger federal government was necessary. This ultimately resulted in calls for reform that culminated in the Constitutional Convention.
• Evaluate the impact of the Articles of Confederation on the eventual creation of the U.S. Constitution.
  • The Articles of Confederation served as both a foundation and a cautionary tale for American governance. While they successfully united the states during the Revolutionary War, their inadequacies—such as lack of centralized authority and inability to address economic challenges—became evident. These failures directly influenced delegates at the Constitutional Convention to craft a new framework that provided a more robust federal government with clear powers and responsibilities, ultimately shaping the U.S. Constitution that we know today.

Related terms

Confederation: A union of sovereign groups or states, united for purposes of common action, particularly in relation to other 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.

Constitutional Convention:

A gathering held in Philadelphia in 1787 where delegates met to address the problems with the Articles of Confederation, ultimately leading to the creation of the U.S. Constitution.