The Articles of Confederation – A First Attempt at Government

Question

The Articles of Confederation were adopted in 1777 during the American Revolution and served as the first constitution of the United States. Under the Articles, the states retained most of their power, with the national government being intentionally weak. Congress could not tax, regulate trade, or enforce laws, as these powers were reserved for the states. The national government consisted of a single-chamber Congress, with each state having one vote, regardless of its population.
While the Articles provided a unified front during the Revolutionary War and established some important precedents, such as the Northwest Ordinance, they struggled to function effectively in peacetime. The inability to collect taxes meant the government could not pay debts or fund a standing army. Disputes between states often went unresolved because there was no judicial branch to mediate conflicts. The requirement for unanimous consent to amend the Articles made addressing these issues nearly impossible.
The Articles of Confederation demonstrated a deep fear of centralized authority, reflecting the colonists' experiences under British rule. However, this distrust led to a government that was too weak to handle the complexities of a growing nation.
Questions:
What were the main features of the government under the Articles of Confederation?
How did the Articles contribute to the success of the American Revolution?
What were the weaknesses of the Articles of Confederation, and how did they reflect the colonists' fear of centralized power?

Answer 1

Main Features of the Government under the Articles of Confederation

1. Single-Chamber Congress: The national government was represented by a unicameral legislature where each state had one vote, regardless of population or size.

2. Limited Power of Congress: Congress had limited powers, which included conducting foreign affairs, making treaties, and waging war, but it could not tax, regulate trade, or enforce laws.

3. State Sovereignty: The Articles emphasized state sovereignty, allowing states to retain most of their powers and governing authority.

4. No Executive or Judicial Branch: There was no separate executive branch to enforce laws, nor was there a national judicial system to resolve disputes between states.

5. Unanimity for Amendments: Any amendments to the Articles required unanimous consent from all thirteen states, making changes exceedingly difficult.

Contribution of the Articles to the Success of the American Revolution

1. Unified Effort: The Articles provided a framework that allowed the thirteen states to come together for a common goal during the Revolutionary War, fostering a sense of unity against British rule.

2. Diplomatic Relations: The Congress under the Articles facilitated diplomatic relations with foreign nations, helping to secure alliances, particularly with France, which was vital for the war effort.

3. Establishing Precedents: The Articles established important precedents for governance, such as the Northwest Ordinance, which laid the foundation for orderly westward expansion and governance of new territories.

4. Resource Mobilization: Although limited, the government under the Articles managed to coordinate military efforts and resources during the war.

Weaknesses of the Articles of Confederation and Reflection of Fear of Centralized Power

1. Inability to Tax: The lack of power to levy taxes meant the national government could not raise funds to pay debts or provide for a standing army, severely limiting its effectiveness.

2. Interstate Disputes: With no judicial branch, disputes between states could not be resolved at a national level, leading to tensions and conflicts that threatened unity.

3. Trade Regulation Failure: The inability to regulate interstate and international trade led to economic disarray, as states often imposed tariffs on each other and negotiated their own trade agreements.

4. Unanimous Consent Requirement: The necessity of unanimous agreement to amend the Articles reflected the colonists' fear of a strong central authority that could overpower individual state interests. This requirement made it nearly impossible to rectify issues or adapt to new challenges.

Overall, the weaknesses of the Articles of Confederation highlighted a careful balancing act between the need for a cohesive national government and the colonists' deep-seated fear of tyranny, ultimately spurring the movement toward a stronger federal framework established in the U.S. Constitution.