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1.4 Challenges of the Articles of Confederation

7 min readfebruary 7, 2023

Annika Tekumulla

Annika Tekumulla

Riya Patel

Riya Patel

Annika Tekumulla

Annika Tekumulla

Riya Patel

Riya Patel

Introduction

The were the first constitution of the United States, written during the American Revolution and adopted in 1777. It established a with limited powers and a loose confederation of independent states. The central government under the Articles was unable to tax, regulate commerce effectively, or enforce laws, and had no separate executive or judicial branches. This led to economic instability and disputes between states, which ultimately resulted in the adoption of the in 1787, which established a stronger central government with defined powers and a separation of powers between branches of government.

Key Weaknesses

  1. : The central government under the Articles had limited powers, making it difficult to enforce laws and regulate commerce.

  2. : The federal government lacked the power to tax, making it difficult to raise revenue to support its activities.

  3. : The central government had limited control over commerce and trade, leading to economic instability and disputes between states.

  4. : The Articles lacked a strong executive or judicial branch to enforce laws and interpret the Constitution.

  5. : The Articles required unanimity among the states to make changes to the Constitution, making it difficult to address emerging issues and adapt to changing circumstances.

These challenges ultimately led to the adoption of the in 1787, which established a stronger central government with more defined powers and a separation of powers between branches of government.

Weak Central Government

A refers to a system of government where the central authority has limited powers and is unable to effectively govern the country. The central government under the , the first constitution of the United States, was considered weak because it had limited powers to enforce laws, regulate commerce, and raise revenue. This led to economic instability and disputes between states, and ultimately resulted in the adoption of the in 1787, which established a stronger central government with defined powers and a separation of powers between branches of government.

No Taxation Powers

The lack of taxation powers refers to the inability of the central government to collect taxes from citizens and businesses. Under the , the federal government lacked the power to tax, which made it difficult to raise revenue to support its activities and pay off the national debt incurred during the American Revolution. This lack of taxation power was one of the key challenges faced by the and ultimately contributed to its failure. The , which was adopted in 1787, granted the central government the power to tax and regulate commerce, which allowed for a stronger and more effective government.

No Control Over Commerce

The lack of control over commerce refers to the inability of the central government to regulate trade and commerce between states and with other countries. Under the , the federal government had limited control over commerce, leading to economic instability and disputes between states. Each state had its own trade policies, tariffs, and currency, making it difficult for businesses to operate across state lines and for the federal government to regulate commerce effectively. This lack of control over commerce was one of the major challenges faced by the and was addressed in the , which granted the federal government the power to regulate commerce and promote trade between the states and with other nations.

No Executive or Judicial Branches

The lack of separate executive and judicial branches refers to the absence of clear division of powers between the different branches of government. Under the , there was no clear separation of powers between the legislative, executive, and judicial branches, which made it difficult to enforce laws and ensure that the government was accountable and responsive to the needs of citizens. This lack of separate branches was one of the key challenges faced by the , and was addressed in the , which established a clear separation of powers between the legislative, executive, and judicial branches, creating a system of checks and balances to ensure that no one branch of government became too powerful.

Requirement of Unanimity for Changes

The refers to the rule that all states must agree to any changes made to the . This made it difficult to address emerging issues and adapt to changing circumstances, as any proposed change had to be approved by every state in the union. This requirement for unanimity was one of the key challenges faced by the and was seen as a major weakness in the government structure. The , which was adopted in 1787, allowed for changes to be made with the approval of only a supermajority of states, making it easier to address emerging issues and adapt to changing circumstances.

Shays' Rebellion

was a series of armed uprisings that took place in Massachusetts in 1786 and 1787, led by veteran Daniel Shays and other disgruntled farmers and debtors. The rebellion was a response to the economic hardship and political instability that was affecting many people in the aftermath of the American Revolution. The uprisings were a direct challenge to the authority of the Massachusetts government and its treatment of ordinary citizens, and were seen as a sign of the weaknesses in the central government under the . The rebellion ultimately contributed to the call for a stronger central government and the creation of a new, more effective constitution, the , which was adopted in 1787.

Example

An example of how contributed to the call for a stronger central government is as follows:

During the rebellion, the Massachusetts government was unable to effectively put down the uprisings and protect its citizens, due to the limitations of the central government under the . This lack of a strong central authority led many people to question the effectiveness of the current government structure and call for a more powerful central government that could enforce laws and protect citizens.

As a result of the rebellion, leaders from across the country met at the Constitutional Convention in 1787 to draft the , which established a stronger central government with defined powers and a separation of powers between branches of government. This new constitution was intended to address the challenges faced by the , including the weaknesses in the central government and the need for a more effective system of government that could respond to the needs of the citizens.

🎥 Watch: AP GOPO - Constitutional Convention

Things to Review

Key Terms

  • : The first constitution of the United States, adopted in 1777, which established a with limited powers.

  • : A system of government where the central authority has limited powers and is unable to effectively govern the country.

  • : The inability of the central government to collect taxes from citizens and businesses.

  • : The inability of the central government to regulate trade and commerce between states and with other countries.

  • : The absence of clear division of powers between the legislative, executive, and judicial branches of government.

  • : The rule that all states must agree to any changes made to the .

  • : A series of armed uprisings in Massachusetts in 1786 and 1787, led by veteran Daniel Shays and other disgruntled farmers and debtors.

  • : The second and current constitution of the United States, adopted in 1787, which established a stronger central government with defined powers and a separation of powers between branches of government.

Key Questions

  1. What were the weaknesses of the central government under the ?

  2. Why was the seen as a challenge under the ?

  3. How did contribute to the call for a stronger central government?

  4. What was the role of the in addressing the challenges faced by the ?

  5. How did the establish a stronger central government with defined powers and a separation of powers between branches of government?

  6. How did the lack of control over commerce affect trade and commerce between states and with other countries under the ?

  7. Why was the absence of a clear division of powers between the legislative, executive, and judicial branches of government a challenge under the ?

Key Terms to Review (8)

Articles of Confederation

: The Articles of Confederation served as America's first constitution from 1781 to 1789. They provided for a weak central government and strong state governments.

No Control Over Commerce

: This refers to the inability of a governing body, such as the federal government under the Articles of Confederation, to regulate trade and commerce between states or with foreign nations.

No Executive or Judicial Branches

: This term describes a situation where a government lacks two of the three branches typically found in a democratic system - an executive branch responsible for enforcing laws and a judicial branch responsible for interpreting them.

No Taxation Powers

: When an entity lacks taxation powers it means they do not have the ability to impose taxes on citizens or businesses within its jurisdiction.

Requirement of Unanimity for Changes

: This means all members within an organization must agree before any changes can be made.

Shays' Rebellion

: Shays' Rebellion was an armed uprising in Massachusetts (mostly in and around Springfield) during 1786 and 1787. Revolutionary War veteran Daniel Shays led four thousand rebels (called Shaysites) in a protest against perceived economic and civil rights injustices.

US Constitution

: The US Constitution is the supreme law of the United States, outlining the structure of the national government and defining the rights and freedoms of American citizens.

Weak Central Government

: A weak central government is one with limited powers and responsibilities. In such systems, most power resides with sub-national entities like states or provinces.

1.4 Challenges of the Articles of Confederation

7 min readfebruary 7, 2023

Annika Tekumulla

Annika Tekumulla

Riya Patel

Riya Patel

Annika Tekumulla

Annika Tekumulla

Riya Patel

Riya Patel

Introduction

The were the first constitution of the United States, written during the American Revolution and adopted in 1777. It established a with limited powers and a loose confederation of independent states. The central government under the Articles was unable to tax, regulate commerce effectively, or enforce laws, and had no separate executive or judicial branches. This led to economic instability and disputes between states, which ultimately resulted in the adoption of the in 1787, which established a stronger central government with defined powers and a separation of powers between branches of government.

Key Weaknesses

  1. : The central government under the Articles had limited powers, making it difficult to enforce laws and regulate commerce.

  2. : The federal government lacked the power to tax, making it difficult to raise revenue to support its activities.

  3. : The central government had limited control over commerce and trade, leading to economic instability and disputes between states.

  4. : The Articles lacked a strong executive or judicial branch to enforce laws and interpret the Constitution.

  5. : The Articles required unanimity among the states to make changes to the Constitution, making it difficult to address emerging issues and adapt to changing circumstances.

These challenges ultimately led to the adoption of the in 1787, which established a stronger central government with more defined powers and a separation of powers between branches of government.

Weak Central Government

A refers to a system of government where the central authority has limited powers and is unable to effectively govern the country. The central government under the , the first constitution of the United States, was considered weak because it had limited powers to enforce laws, regulate commerce, and raise revenue. This led to economic instability and disputes between states, and ultimately resulted in the adoption of the in 1787, which established a stronger central government with defined powers and a separation of powers between branches of government.

No Taxation Powers

The lack of taxation powers refers to the inability of the central government to collect taxes from citizens and businesses. Under the , the federal government lacked the power to tax, which made it difficult to raise revenue to support its activities and pay off the national debt incurred during the American Revolution. This lack of taxation power was one of the key challenges faced by the and ultimately contributed to its failure. The , which was adopted in 1787, granted the central government the power to tax and regulate commerce, which allowed for a stronger and more effective government.

No Control Over Commerce

The lack of control over commerce refers to the inability of the central government to regulate trade and commerce between states and with other countries. Under the , the federal government had limited control over commerce, leading to economic instability and disputes between states. Each state had its own trade policies, tariffs, and currency, making it difficult for businesses to operate across state lines and for the federal government to regulate commerce effectively. This lack of control over commerce was one of the major challenges faced by the and was addressed in the , which granted the federal government the power to regulate commerce and promote trade between the states and with other nations.

No Executive or Judicial Branches

The lack of separate executive and judicial branches refers to the absence of clear division of powers between the different branches of government. Under the , there was no clear separation of powers between the legislative, executive, and judicial branches, which made it difficult to enforce laws and ensure that the government was accountable and responsive to the needs of citizens. This lack of separate branches was one of the key challenges faced by the , and was addressed in the , which established a clear separation of powers between the legislative, executive, and judicial branches, creating a system of checks and balances to ensure that no one branch of government became too powerful.

Requirement of Unanimity for Changes

The refers to the rule that all states must agree to any changes made to the . This made it difficult to address emerging issues and adapt to changing circumstances, as any proposed change had to be approved by every state in the union. This requirement for unanimity was one of the key challenges faced by the and was seen as a major weakness in the government structure. The , which was adopted in 1787, allowed for changes to be made with the approval of only a supermajority of states, making it easier to address emerging issues and adapt to changing circumstances.

Shays' Rebellion

was a series of armed uprisings that took place in Massachusetts in 1786 and 1787, led by veteran Daniel Shays and other disgruntled farmers and debtors. The rebellion was a response to the economic hardship and political instability that was affecting many people in the aftermath of the American Revolution. The uprisings were a direct challenge to the authority of the Massachusetts government and its treatment of ordinary citizens, and were seen as a sign of the weaknesses in the central government under the . The rebellion ultimately contributed to the call for a stronger central government and the creation of a new, more effective constitution, the , which was adopted in 1787.

Example

An example of how contributed to the call for a stronger central government is as follows:

During the rebellion, the Massachusetts government was unable to effectively put down the uprisings and protect its citizens, due to the limitations of the central government under the . This lack of a strong central authority led many people to question the effectiveness of the current government structure and call for a more powerful central government that could enforce laws and protect citizens.

As a result of the rebellion, leaders from across the country met at the Constitutional Convention in 1787 to draft the , which established a stronger central government with defined powers and a separation of powers between branches of government. This new constitution was intended to address the challenges faced by the , including the weaknesses in the central government and the need for a more effective system of government that could respond to the needs of the citizens.

🎥 Watch: AP GOPO - Constitutional Convention

Things to Review

Key Terms

  • : The first constitution of the United States, adopted in 1777, which established a with limited powers.

  • : A system of government where the central authority has limited powers and is unable to effectively govern the country.

  • : The inability of the central government to collect taxes from citizens and businesses.

  • : The inability of the central government to regulate trade and commerce between states and with other countries.

  • : The absence of clear division of powers between the legislative, executive, and judicial branches of government.

  • : The rule that all states must agree to any changes made to the .

  • : A series of armed uprisings in Massachusetts in 1786 and 1787, led by veteran Daniel Shays and other disgruntled farmers and debtors.

  • : The second and current constitution of the United States, adopted in 1787, which established a stronger central government with defined powers and a separation of powers between branches of government.

Key Questions

  1. What were the weaknesses of the central government under the ?

  2. Why was the seen as a challenge under the ?

  3. How did contribute to the call for a stronger central government?

  4. What was the role of the in addressing the challenges faced by the ?

  5. How did the establish a stronger central government with defined powers and a separation of powers between branches of government?

  6. How did the lack of control over commerce affect trade and commerce between states and with other countries under the ?

  7. Why was the absence of a clear division of powers between the legislative, executive, and judicial branches of government a challenge under the ?

Key Terms to Review (8)

Articles of Confederation

: The Articles of Confederation served as America's first constitution from 1781 to 1789. They provided for a weak central government and strong state governments.

No Control Over Commerce

: This refers to the inability of a governing body, such as the federal government under the Articles of Confederation, to regulate trade and commerce between states or with foreign nations.

No Executive or Judicial Branches

: This term describes a situation where a government lacks two of the three branches typically found in a democratic system - an executive branch responsible for enforcing laws and a judicial branch responsible for interpreting them.

No Taxation Powers

: When an entity lacks taxation powers it means they do not have the ability to impose taxes on citizens or businesses within its jurisdiction.

Requirement of Unanimity for Changes

: This means all members within an organization must agree before any changes can be made.

Shays' Rebellion

: Shays' Rebellion was an armed uprising in Massachusetts (mostly in and around Springfield) during 1786 and 1787. Revolutionary War veteran Daniel Shays led four thousand rebels (called Shaysites) in a protest against perceived economic and civil rights injustices.

US Constitution

: The US Constitution is the supreme law of the United States, outlining the structure of the national government and defining the rights and freedoms of American citizens.

Weak Central Government

: A weak central government is one with limited powers and responsibilities. In such systems, most power resides with sub-national entities like states or provinces.


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AP® and SAT® are trademarks registered by the College Board, which is not affiliated with, and does not endorse this website.


© 2024 Fiveable Inc. All rights reserved.

AP® and SAT® are trademarks registered by the College Board, which is not affiliated with, and does not endorse this website.