Articles of Confederation

Definition

The Articles of Confederation was the first governing document of the United States, which established the country as a confederation of sovereign states prior to the ratification of the current U.S. Constitution. It outlined the structure and powers of the federal government, while reserving significant authority for the individual states.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. The Articles of Confederation were drafted during the American Revolutionary War and were ratified in 1781, establishing the United States as a confederation of sovereign states.
2. The Articles granted limited powers to the central government, which lacked the authority to levy taxes, regulate commerce, or enforce its decisions on the states.
3. The weak central government under the Articles of Confederation led to economic and political instability, prompting the call for a new, more powerful federal system.
4. The failure of the Articles of Confederation to address the country's growing needs led to the convening of the Constitutional Convention in 1787, which resulted in the drafting of the current U.S. Constitution.
5. The transition from the Articles of Confederation to the U.S. Constitution marked a significant shift in the balance of power, moving towards a more centralized federal government with increased authority over the states.

Review Questions

• Describe the key features of the Articles of Confederation and how they differed from the U.S. Constitution.
  • The Articles of Confederation established a loose confederation of sovereign states, where the central government had limited powers and the individual states retained significant autonomy. This contrasted with the U.S. Constitution, which created a more centralized federal government with increased authority over the states, including the ability to levy taxes, regulate commerce, and enforce its decisions. The weakness of the Articles of Confederation, which lacked the power to address the country's growing needs, led to the convening of the Constitutional Convention and the eventual ratification of the U.S. Constitution.
• Explain the role of the Articles of Confederation in the transition to the U.S. Constitution and the establishment of a stronger federal government.
  • The failure of the Articles of Confederation to effectively govern the country and address its growing needs was a key factor in the call for a new, more powerful federal system. The inability of the central government under the Articles to levy taxes, regulate commerce, or enforce its decisions on the states led to economic and political instability, prompting the convening of the Constitutional Convention in 1787. The drafting and ratification of the U.S. Constitution marked a significant shift in the balance of power, moving towards a more centralized federal government with increased authority over the states, in contrast to the decentralized structure of the Articles of Confederation.
• Analyze the impact of the transition from the Articles of Confederation to the U.S. Constitution on the development of American federalism and the role of the states in the new federal system.
  • The transition from the Articles of Confederation to the U.S. Constitution had a profound impact on the development of American federalism and the role of the states in the new federal system. The Articles of Confederation established a loose confederation of sovereign states, where the central government had limited powers and the individual states retained significant autonomy. The U.S. Constitution, in contrast, created a more centralized federal government with increased authority over the states, including the ability to levy taxes, regulate commerce, and enforce its decisions. This shift towards a stronger federal government sparked debates about the balance of power between the federal and state governments, leading to the ratification of the Bill of Rights and the ongoing evolution of American federalism. The role of the states in the new federal system became a central issue, as they sought to preserve their autonomy and influence within the broader framework of the Constitution.

Related terms

Confederation: A loose alliance or league of sovereign states, where the central government has limited powers and the member states retain significant autonomy.

Federalism:

A system of government in which power is divided between a central authority and constituent political units, such as states or provinces.

Ratification:

The formal process of giving official sanction or approval to a document, such as a constitution or treaty, to make it valid and enforceable.