Do you think that there were any positives contained in the articles of Confederation? Why or why not?

Answer 1

Yes, there were certain positives contained in the Articles of Confederation. Here are a few reasons why:

1. Independence: The Articles of Confederation marked the first step towards achieving independence for the American colonies from British rule. It established a framework for a united government among the thirteen states.

2. Settlement of Western Lands: The Articles of Confederation facilitated the process of settling and governing new territories beyond the original thirteen states. It provided a mechanism for admitting new states into the Union.

3. Power to Declare War and Make Treaties: Under the Articles of Confederation, the central government had the power to declare war and negotiate treaties with foreign nations. This allowed the United States to establish itself as an independent player on the world stage.

4. Passage of the Northwest Ordinance: The Articles of Confederation authorized the passage of the Northwest Ordinance of 1787, which outlined the process for creating new states in the Northwest Territory. This ordinance prohibited slavery in these new states, which was a notable milestone in the path towards abolishing slavery.

Despite these positives, the Articles of Confederation had several flaws that ultimately led to their replacement. These flaws included a weak central government, lack of power to regulate commerce, inability to impose taxes, and absence of an executive branch. The weaknesses of the Articles ultimately led to the adoption of the United States Constitution in 1789.