The Constitution of the United States was designed to address the significant weaknesses of the Articles of Confederation, which had created a weak federal government and struggled to unify the states effectively. The two biggest weaknesses under the Articles of Confederation were the lack of federal power to tax and the inability to regulate commerce between the states. The Constitution addressed these issues in the following ways:
-
Power to Tax: Under the Articles of Confederation, the federal government lacked the authority to impose taxes and relied on voluntary contributions from the states, which often led to funding shortages. The Constitution corrected this by granting Congress the power to levy taxes directly on individuals and businesses. Article I, Section 8 of the Constitution explicitly states that Congress has the power "to lay and collect Taxes, Duties, Imposts and Excises." This ability to raise revenue was crucial for funding the government and its functions.
-
Regulation of Commerce: The Articles of Confederation did not provide the federal government with the authority to regulate interstate and foreign commerce, leading to economic disarray as states imposed their own tariffs and regulations on trade. The Constitution addressed this by granting Congress the power to regulate commerce with foreign nations and among the states. Article I, Section 8 also includes the Commerce Clause, which empowers Congress to regulate trade "among the several States," ensuring a more coherent and integrated economic framework for the nation.
Overall, these changes allowed the federal government to operate more effectively, maintain order, and promote economic stability, laying the groundwork for a stronger national government under the Constitution.
1 answer