The government under the Articles of Confederation was set up with the aim of creating a weak central government that would primarily serve as a coordinator between the thirteen individual states. This was largely due to the fear of establishing a strong central authority, which they had just experienced under British rule.
One of the main goals of the Articles of Confederation was to prevent the abuse of power that had occurred under British rule. As a result, the central government was deliberately designed to be weak. The Confederation Congress, the central governing body, consisted of one representative from each state, and each state had only one vote, regardless of its population or size. This equal representation ensured that the larger states did not overpower the smaller ones.
The central government had limited powers under the Articles of Confederation. It could declare war, conduct foreign affairs, establish a postal service, and negotiate treaties, but it had no power to enforce laws or collect taxes. It relied on voluntary contributions from the states to fund its operations, which often led to financial instability and an inability to pay off war debts.
The Articles of Confederation also established a process for the admission of new states into the union, indicating a desire to expand the country's territory. However, it did not provide a mechanism for amending the Articles themselves, requiring unanimous consent from all thirteen states to make any changes. This made the government inflexible and hindered its ability to address issues and respond to changing circumstances.
The weaknesses of the government under the Articles of Confederation became evident over time. There was a lack of unity and coordination among the states, and the central government was unable to effectively address economic issues, regulate trade, or provide for the common defense. This led to economic problems, such as inflation and the inability to pay off war debts, and highlighted the need for a stronger central government.
Ultimately, the weaknesses of the government under the Articles of Confederation led to the Constitutional Convention of 1787, where the current United States Constitution was drafted and ratified. The new Constitution aimed to create a stronger central government with separate branches, a system of checks and balances, and the power to tax and regulate trade, while still protecting individual rights and preventing the abuse of power.
Analyze how and why the government was set up under the Articles of Confederation
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