Directions: Begin by reading the areas of concern regarding the Articles of Confederation. Consider how these areas of concern would create problems for the nation. After considering the problems, determine how the Constitution addressed or fixes these areas of concern.

Question

The national government had to request states for troops.

Answer 1

Under the Articles of Confederation, the national government did not have the power to conscript or raise its own army. Instead, it had to rely on the states to provide troops whenever necessary. This created several problems for the nation.

Firstly, the states had the power to refuse to provide troops, which could lead to issues in national defense. If a state chose not to send troops, it could weaken the national military and leave the country vulnerable to attacks from foreign powers.

Secondly, the process of requesting troops from the states was slow and inefficient. It required coordination and cooperation from all the states, which could be difficult to achieve, especially during times of crisis. This delayed response time could be detrimental in emergency situations where a quick response was needed.

Furthermore, this system also allowed individual states to wield significant power and influence over the national government. By controlling the availability of troops, states could potentially use their leverage to extract concessions or advance their own interests, leading to a lack of unity and difficulties in decision-making at the national level.

To address these concerns, the Constitution granted the federal government the power to raise and maintain its own standing army. This ensured that there would be a reliable and readily available military force to defend the nation. By transferring this power from the states to the federal government, the Constitution aimed to strengthen national defense and provide a more efficient response to threats.

Additionally, the Constitution established the concept of federal supremacy, which means that federal law and authority would prevail over state laws and authority. This shift in power dynamics ensured that the federal government could maintain control and make decisions for the entire nation, rather than being at the mercy of individual states. As a result, the Constitution aimed to create a more unified and cohesive national government, reducing the potential for individual states to exert excessive influence or hinder the functioning of the nation as a whole.