Noah Webster, a prominent American lexicographer, grammarian, and language reformer, identified several issues with the Articles of Confederation, particularly concerning the lack of a strong central government. He believed that the Articles created a weak federal structure that hindered the ability of the national government to effectively govern the newly formed United States. Some of the fundamental problems that Webster and others recognized included:
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Weak Central Authority: The Articles did not grant sufficient power to the federal government, making it difficult to enforce laws, regulate commerce, or raise revenue through taxes.
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Interstate Conflicts: Without a strong federal government to mediate disputes between states, conflicts arose over trade, borders, and tariffs, creating tension and rivalry among states.
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Inability to Raise an Army: The federal government lacked the authority to draft soldiers or maintain a standing army, which made the nation vulnerable to external threats and domestic uprisings.
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Economic Instability: The inability of the central government to regulate currency or trade led to economic instability, with individual states issuing their own currencies, complicating commerce and trade.
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Lack of a National Judiciary: The absence of a national court system made it difficult to resolve legal disputes that crossed state lines, leading to inconsistencies in the application of laws and justice.
Webster's concerns, along with those of other Founding Fathers, contributed to the eventual move towards drafting the U.S. Constitution in 1787, which aimed to address these weaknesses by creating a stronger federal system.
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