Articles of Confederation

Definition

The Articles of Confederation were the first constitution of the United States, ratified in 1781, which established a loose alliance of sovereign states and a weak central government. This framework aimed to unify the states during and after the American Revolution but ultimately proved ineffective due to its inability to provide for a strong federal authority, leading to various challenges in governance and prompting the eventual drafting of a new constitution.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. The Articles created a confederation that allowed states to retain most of their sovereignty, leading to a weak national government with limited powers.
2. Under the Articles, Congress lacked the authority to impose taxes or regulate trade, which hindered its ability to address economic issues and maintain order.
3. Each state had one vote in Congress regardless of its size or population, resulting in disproportionate representation and decision-making challenges.
4. The inability to effectively handle interstate disputes or enforce laws contributed to unrest, exemplified by events like Shays' Rebellion.
5. The shortcomings of the Articles highlighted the need for a stronger federal government, culminating in the Constitutional Convention where the U.S. Constitution was drafted.

Review Questions

• How did the Articles of Confederation influence the governance of the United States during its early years?
  • The Articles of Confederation significantly shaped early American governance by creating a decentralized system that emphasized state sovereignty over federal authority. This led to various issues, including an inability to collect taxes or regulate commerce effectively, creating economic instability. The weaknesses manifested through events like Shays' Rebellion, which highlighted the urgent need for a more robust central government.
• Discuss the key weaknesses of the Articles of Confederation that prompted calls for reform.
  • The key weaknesses of the Articles included the lack of a strong central authority to impose taxes or regulate interstate commerce, which led to economic disarray and difficulties in maintaining order. Additionally, Congress's inability to enforce laws or compel states to comply with national policies created significant challenges. These issues spurred reform efforts that culminated in the Constitutional Convention, where delegates sought to create a more effective governing framework.
• Evaluate how Shays' Rebellion exposed the limitations of the Articles of Confederation and influenced the subsequent Constitutional Convention.
  • Shays' Rebellion exposed critical limitations of the Articles of Confederation by demonstrating how a weak federal government could not respond effectively to civil unrest or maintain public order. The uprising revealed that state governments were also struggling with economic hardship and widespread dissatisfaction among citizens. This unrest galvanized support for a stronger national framework, leading directly to the Constitutional Convention where delegates aimed to rectify these flaws by establishing a balanced federal system.

Related terms

Shays' Rebellion: A violent uprising in 1786-1787 led by farmers in Massachusetts protesting economic injustices and the lack of government response under the Articles of Confederation.

Constitutional Convention: A gathering held in 1787 where delegates from the states convened to address the weaknesses of the Articles of Confederation, leading to the creation of the U.S. Constitution.

Federalism: A system of government in which power is divided between a central authority and constituent political units, such as states, which was a fundamental change from the Articles of Confederation.