Articles of Confederation Overview

Introduction

• The Articles of Confederation served as the first constitution of the newly formed United States of America.
• It established a "league of friendship" among the thirteen states, rather than a unified national government.
• Ratification of the Articles occurred in 1781.

Key Features of the Articles

• Created a weak central government with limited powers.
• Congress held primary power, but state governments retained significant autonomy.
• No executive branch or national court system existed.

Weaknesses of the Articles

• Congress lacked the power to tax, relying on contributions from the states.
• This created significant financial instability and hindered the ability to pay war debts.
• Congress struggled to regulate commerce between states, leading to interstate disputes and economic hardship.
• States often pursued their own interests over national interests, resulting in a fragmented and ineffective government.
• Amending the Articles required unanimous consent from all thirteen states, rendering significant changes nearly impossible.
• The absence of an executive branch led to administrative inefficiencies and difficulties in enforcing laws.
• The lack of a national court system exacerbated the problems of interstate disputes and a clear system of justice was absent.

Successes of the Articles

• Successfully guided the nation through the crucial years following the Revolutionary War, including negotiation of the Treaty of Paris.
• Established a framework for westward expansion and organizing new territories and states.
• Helped solidify a sense of national unity, even with weaknesses.
• Provided the foundational experience for a stronger, more unified government under the Constitution.

Key Provisions

• Established a unicameral legislature (Congress) composed of delegates from each state, each holding one vote.
• Congress held limited powers, primarily focusing on foreign affairs, war, and trade.
• Each state retained its sovereignty and independence.
• The Articles focused on establishing a limited and decentralized government, prioritizing state autonomy.

The Annapolis Convention

• A crucial pre-cursor to the Constitutional Convention.
• Called in response to the struggles under the Articles, specifically the issues with trade and commerce.
• A small gathering of delegates from several states, aiming to discuss trade issues.
• While not a huge success in its aims, it highlighted the need for a stronger national government and paved the way for the Philadelphia Convention.

Transition to the Constitution

• The inadequacies and weaknesses of the Articles of Confederation, including economic problems, interstate disputes, and inefficiencies in governance, became apparent.
• The need for a more robust and unified national government spurred the push for a constitutional convention.
• The Philadelphia Convention (1787) ultimately drafted the United States Constitution, marking a departure from the decentralized structure of the Articles.