Government under the Articles

Definition

Government under the Articles refers to the system of governance established by the Articles of Confederation, which served as the first constitution of the United States from 1781 until 1789. This framework created a loose confederation of sovereign states that retained most of their power, resulting in a weak central government with limited authority to tax, regulate commerce, or enforce laws. The structure highlighted significant challenges in uniting the states and addressing collective issues, ultimately leading to calls for a stronger federal government.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. The Articles of Confederation created a unicameral legislature, meaning there was only one legislative body, which made decision-making inefficient.
2. Each state had one vote in Congress regardless of its size or population, leading to disparities in representation.
3. The federal government lacked the power to impose taxes or regulate trade, which severely limited its ability to function effectively.
4. The absence of an executive branch meant there was no national leader to enforce laws or unify the states under a central authority.
5. The challenges faced under the Articles, such as financial instability and interstate disputes, eventually prompted the drafting of the U.S. Constitution in 1787.

Review Questions

• How did the structure of government under the Articles create challenges for effective governance in the early United States?
  • The government under the Articles was structured as a loose confederation with a weak central authority that struggled to address key issues facing the young nation. With each state holding one vote in Congress, larger states felt underrepresented, leading to frustrations. Additionally, the inability to impose taxes or regulate commerce left the federal government financially dependent on state contributions, making it difficult to fund essential services or defend against external threats.
• Evaluate how Shays' Rebellion illustrated the weaknesses of the government under the Articles and influenced public opinion about a stronger federal government.
  • Shays' Rebellion was a direct response to economic hardships faced by farmers and demonstrated how ineffective the government under the Articles was in addressing grievances. The rebellion highlighted the inability of Congress to raise an army or quell unrest without state support, which alarmed many leaders and citizens. The uprising helped galvanize support for a stronger federal government that could respond effectively to such crises, culminating in the Constitutional Convention.
• Assess the impact of governmental weaknesses under the Articles on the development of the U.S. Constitution and its lasting implications for federalism.
  • The weaknesses experienced under the Articles directly informed the framers' approach to crafting the U.S. Constitution. Recognizing that a more robust federal structure was necessary for maintaining order and unity among states, they established a system with separate branches of government and checks and balances. This shift laid the foundation for modern American federalism, where power is shared between state and national governments, ensuring both local autonomy and centralized authority capable of addressing collective needs.

Related terms

Confederation:

A union of sovereign states that delegate certain powers to a central authority while retaining their independence.

Shays' Rebellion:

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

Constitutional Convention:

The gathering held in Philadelphia in 1787 where delegates met to address the weaknesses of the Articles and ultimately draft the U.S. Constitution.