Write an AP United States History Rundown on the articles of confederation
Articles of Confederation (1781-1789)
Background:
- Adopted after the Declaration of Independence in 1781
- First constitution of the United States
- Replaced the Continental Congress
Key Features:
Weaknesses:
- Loose Confederation: States retained most power, with the federal government having limited authority.
- No Executive Branch: No president or other executive figure.
- Weak Legislature: Congress could only pass laws with unanimous consent of all states.
- No Judicial Branch: No federal courts to enforce laws.
- No Power to Tax: Congress could not raise revenue directly from the states.
- No Power to Regulate Commerce: States controlled trade within and between their borders.
- No Power to Declare War or Make Peace: States made their own foreign policy decisions.
Strengths:
- Declaration of Rights: Included a Bill of Rights that protected individual liberties.
- Land Ordinance of 1785: Established a system for selling and surveying western lands.
- Northwest Ordinance of 1787: Organized the Northwest Territory and set principles for new states.
Reasons for Failure:
- Inability to address the nation’s financial crisis
- Inability to regulate commerce and prevent economic instability
- Weak enforcement mechanisms for federal laws
- Growing tensions between states over western land claims
- Lack of a strong central government to resolve disputes and protect national interests
Replacement:
- The Articles of Confederation were replaced by the Constitution of the United States in 1789, which established a stronger federal government with more powers.