key term - Approval for Enactment of Laws

Definition

Approval for Enactment of Laws refers to the necessary consent required from a governing body before legislation can be put into effect. Under the Articles of Confederation, this approval process significantly impacted the ability of the federal government to enact laws, requiring a supermajority of states to agree, which often led to gridlock and inefficiency in governance.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. The Articles of Confederation required the approval of at least nine out of thirteen states for any law to be enacted, making it difficult to pass significant legislation.
2. This high threshold for approval often resulted in legislative inaction, as obtaining consensus among the states was challenging.
3. The inability to enact laws effectively under the Articles contributed to issues such as economic instability and interstate disputes.
4. The requirement for approval also hampered the federal government's ability to raise revenue through taxes or regulate commerce.
5. These shortcomings eventually led to calls for a stronger central government and the drafting of the U.S. Constitution, which established a more effective legislative process.

Review Questions

• How did the requirement for approval impact the legislative process under the Articles of Confederation?
  • The requirement for approval created significant hurdles in the legislative process under the Articles of Confederation. Since at least nine states needed to agree for any law to be enacted, achieving consensus was often difficult. This led to many proposed laws failing to pass, resulting in a stagnation of necessary reforms and making it hard for the central government to respond effectively to national issues.
• Evaluate the consequences of having a supermajority requirement for law approval under the Articles of Confederation.
  • The supermajority requirement had severe consequences on governance under the Articles of Confederation. It frequently led to legislative gridlock, where important laws could not be passed due to lack of consensus among states. This inability to act contributed to economic turmoil and social unrest, highlighting the weaknesses of a system that required overwhelming agreement and prompting discussions about reforming the national government structure.
• Assess how the challenges of obtaining approval for enacting laws under the Articles influenced the eventual creation of the U.S. Constitution.
  • The challenges related to obtaining approval for enacting laws under the Articles of Confederation played a pivotal role in shaping the U.S. Constitution. The gridlock and inefficiencies experienced highlighted the need for a stronger central authority capable of swift legislative action. As a result, framers of the Constitution designed a system that allowed for simpler majorities in both houses of Congress, enabling more effective governance while still incorporating mechanisms to ensure checks and balances within the new federal structure.

Related terms

Articles of Confederation:

The first governing document of the United States, establishing a weak federal government with limited powers and no executive branch.

Supermajority: A requirement that exceeds a simple majority, typically needing more than half of the votes, such as two-thirds or three-quarters, to pass legislation or amendments.

Confederation Congress:

The central governing body established by the Articles of Confederation, responsible for making decisions and conducting national affairs, but limited in its powers to enforce laws.