Articles of Confederation Overview

Articles of Confederation Overview

• First written agreement and constitution of the United States.
• Established a framework for governance post-Independence.

Strengths

• Granted Congress authority to manage foreign affairs, including declaring war and forming alliances.
• Allowed for the creation of new states with populations exceeding 60,000.
• Enabled Congress to establish key departments: Treasury, Postal Service, and Foreign Affairs.
• Empowered Congress to handle Native Indian affairs.
• Encouraged inter-state cooperation and dispute resolution among states.

Weaknesses

• Each state received one vote regardless of its population size, leading to unequal representation.
• Absence of national courts hindered the enforcement of laws and resolution of disputes.
• Lacked power to regulate inter-state commerce, resulting in varied state-imposed trade taxes.
• National government had no authority to levy taxes; relied solely on state contributions for revenue.
• Congress could not enforce laws or taxation, leading to widespread disregard for its mandates.
• No national military forces were established, leaving the country vulnerable.
• Absence of a president contributed to a lack of strong, centralized leadership.
• Different states issued their own paper money, complicating financial transactions.
• Inability to gather funds for responses to border encroachments limited federal actions.
• Any amendments required unanimous consent from all states, causing delays in necessary changes.
• Overall state power overshadowed the weak central government authority.

Important Policies and Events

• Land Ordinance of 1785: Provided a systematic method for selling and distributing land in the Northwest Territory to generate federal revenue.
• Northwest Ordinance of 1787: Established guidelines for territories to transition into states, promoting orderly expansion.
• Shays' Rebellion: Demonstrated the ineffectiveness and weakness of the Articles, highlighting the urgent need for a stronger federal government.

Explore the Articles of Confederation, the first constitution of the United States that established a framework for governance after Independence. Discover its strengths, such as foreign affairs management and state creation, as well as its weaknesses, including unequal representation and lack of tax authority.