Articles of Confederation Overview

Adopted in 1777 and ratified by the states in 1781, the Articles of Confederation established a weak national government with limited powers, aiming to create a framework for the newly independent United States after the American Revolution.

The Articles of Confederation lacked a president or central leader, leaving leadership fragmented and causing a lack of unity and direction.

Under the Articles of Confederation, each state had one vote in Congress regardless of its size or population, leading to imbalances and disputes between larger and smaller states.

The Articles of Confederation did not establish a national court system to resolve disputes and enforce laws, leading to inconsistency and confusion over legal matters.

To pass legislation under the Articles of Confederation, nine out of thirteen states had to agree. This high threshold made it difficult for Congress to act effectively.

Changing the Articles of Confederation required the unanimous consent of all thirteen states, making any significant revisions nearly impossible.

The Articles of Confederation granted Congress the power to request tax money from states, but it lacked the authority to directly tax citizens.

The Articles of Confederation allowed Congress to negotiate treaties and maintain a national army for defense, but its limited authority to request military support from states often resulted in a weak national defense.

The Articles of Confederation provided a framework for cooperation among states following the American Revolution, establishing a unified government for the newly independent states.

Under the Articles, each state received one vote in Congress regardless of size or population, promoting a sense of balance and fairness among states.

The Articles of Confederation lacked a central leadership to guide the country and enforce laws, leading to a fragmented and ineffective government.

Congress under the Articles of Confederation had no enforcement power for tax collection or military drafts. This weakness made enforcing laws and raising a national army highly challenging.

The absence of a national court system under the Articles resulted in legal disputes remaining unresolved and led to confusion over legal matters.

The inability to regulate interstate commerce under the Articles resulted in trade imbalances, tariffs between states, and economic challenges within the newly formed nation.

The Articles of Confederation lacked the authority to mediate or resolve conflicts between states, making it difficult to maintain peace and stability within the nation.

The inability to collect state debts owed to the federal government under the Articles of Confederation led to financial instability and economic hardship.

Congress under the Articles of Confederation could only request money from states to fund national operations and war debts, leading to underfunding and financial instability.

Unable to levy direct taxes, the government struggled to pay war debts or fund national operations, leading to long-term financial instability.

The Articles of Confederation lacked the authority to form a standing national army, relying on individual states to provide troops voluntarily. This led to a weak and often fragmented military defense.

The Constitutional Convention, held in 1787, was a meeting of delegates from thirteen states to address the weaknesses of the Articles of Confederation and establish a new form of government.

Proposed by James Madison, the Virginia Plan advocated for two houses of Congress, with representation based on population, which favored larger states.

Proposed by William Paterson, the New Jersey Plan favoured one house of Congress with equal representation for each state, providing a balance for smaller states.

The Great Compromise combined elements of both the Virginia and New Jersey plans, creating a two-house legislative branch with the Senate representing each state equally and the House of Representatives based on the population.

The 3/5 Compromise resolved disputes between Northern and Southern states over counting enslaved people for representation and taxation, counting enslaved people as 3/5th of a person to appease the South.

The Federalists supported the Constitution and advocated for a strong central government, believing it would promote stability and national unity.

The Anti-Federalists opposed the Constitution, fearing a powerful central government that would infringe on individual liberties. They demanded a Bill of Rights to protect citizens' freedoms.

The Federalist Papers were a series of essays written by James Madison, Alexander Hamilton, and John Jay, defending the Constitution and urging its ratification.

The Bill of Rights is the first ten amendments to the U.S. Constitution, guaranteeing individual rights and freedoms, ensuring the protection of personal liberties against government infringement.

The 1st Amendment guarantees freedom of religion, speech, press, assembly, and petition. It protects the rights to express oneself, practice one's faith, and petition the government for redress of grievances.

The 2nd Amendment guarantees the right to bear arms. While controversial because of ongoing debates, it aims to ensure an individual's ability to defend themselves and their property.

The 4th Amendment protects individuals from unreasonable searches and seizures, safeguarding privacy and requiring a warrant issued by a judge for government searches.

The 5th Amendment guarantees several due process rights, including protection against self-incrimination and double jeopardy. It ensures fair treatment under the law and protects against being tried twice for the same crime.

The 6th Amendment guarantees the right to a speedy and public trial, ensuring a fair trial with legal representation, a right to confront witnesses, and to be informed of the charges.

The 10th Amendment reserves powers not delegated to the federal government to the states or the people, ensuring states and individuals maintain significant autonomy and authority.