Articles of Confederation

Definition

The Articles of Confederation were the first constitution of the United States, adopted in 1781, which established a confederation of sovereign states and a weak central government. It was a crucial early attempt to unify the states after gaining independence, reflecting the founders' fears of centralized authority while aiming to promote cooperation among the states.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. The Articles created a unicameral legislature where each state had one vote, regardless of size or population.
2. Under the Articles, the central government lacked authority to impose taxes or regulate commerce, leading to financial instability.
3. Amendments to the Articles required unanimous consent from all thirteen states, making it nearly impossible to adapt to changing circumstances.
4. The weaknesses of the Articles ultimately led to calls for a stronger federal government, resulting in the Constitutional Convention.
5. The Articles were replaced by the United States Constitution in 1789, which established a more robust federal framework.

Review Questions

• How did the Articles of Confederation create a balance between state sovereignty and central authority, and what challenges arose from this balance?
  • The Articles of Confederation emphasized state sovereignty by allowing each state to maintain its independence and have equal representation in Congress. However, this created significant challenges as the central government was left with very limited powers, unable to collect taxes or regulate interstate commerce. The lack of a strong central authority hindered effective governance and led to financial difficulties and unrest, such as Shays' Rebellion, illustrating how this balance ultimately failed.
• Evaluate the effectiveness of the Northwest Ordinance as an accomplishment under the Articles of Confederation and its impact on westward expansion.
  • The Northwest Ordinance was one of the few notable successes under the Articles of Confederation. It provided a structured process for westward expansion and established guidelines for creating new states out of the Northwest Territory. This ordinance not only facilitated orderly settlement but also set important precedents for future governance, including provisions for education and the prohibition of slavery in these new territories.
• Synthesize how the weaknesses of the Articles of Confederation influenced the development of the United States Constitution and subsequent American governance.
  • The weaknesses highlighted by the Articles of Confederation played a crucial role in shaping the U.S. Constitution. Issues like financial instability, inability to regulate trade, and difficulty in passing laws demonstrated that a stronger federal government was necessary. As a result, delegates at the Constitutional Convention crafted a new framework that included checks and balances, an executive branch, and taxation powers. This shift laid the foundation for modern American governance by ensuring that power was balanced between state and federal authorities.

Related terms

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

Northwest Ordinance: A law enacted in 1787 that established a system for admitting new states to the Union from the Northwest Territory, showcasing one of the few successes under the Articles of Confederation.

Constitutional Convention: A meeting held in 1787 to address the issues arising from the Articles of Confederation, ultimately leading to the drafting of the United States Constitution.