what was one potential problem with the Articles of Confederation?
3 answers
One potential problem with the Articles of Confederation was the lack of a central authority with sufficient power to effectively govern the states or resolve disputes among them. The central government had limited powers and was unable to enforce laws, collect taxes, or regulate trade. This weakness led to difficulties in maintaining unity among the states and often hindered decision-making and implementation of policies. Additionally, the lack of a national court system made it challenging to resolve conflicts between states, resulting in a potential threat to the stability and effectiveness of the overall government.
what issues or events highlighted the insufficiency of the power of the central government under the Articles of Confederation?
Several issues and events highlighted the insufficiency of the power of the central government under the Articles of Confederation.
1. Economic Disarray: The central government lacked the authority to levy taxes, resulting in significant financial troubles. It could only request funds from the states, which often had their own financial problems and either ignored or resisted these requests. The lack of revenue made it impossible to pay off war debts, fund the military, or carry out necessary functions.
2. Shays' Rebellion: This rebellion occurred in Massachusetts in 1786-1787 when farmers, burdened by debts and lack of economic relief, rose up against the state government. Due to the weak central government, it was unable to respond effectively and had no power to raise an army to quell the uprising. This event underscored the need for a stronger central authority capable of addressing domestic unrest and maintaining law and order.
3. Inability to Regulate Trade: The central government lacked the power to regulate interstate or foreign trade, leading to economic chaos. Each state enforced its trade policies, including imposing tariffs and restricting commerce, hampering the growth of a unified national economy. This lack of control over trade weakened the country's position internationally and hindered economic development.
4. Weak Foreign Policy: The central government under the Articles of Confederation struggled to coordinate foreign policy. It had difficulty establishing credibility and negotiating treaties with foreign governments. The lack of a unified foreign policy led to disputes and conflicts with other nations, undermining the young country's standing on the global stage.
5. Ineffectiveness in Enforcing Laws: The Articles of Confederation lacked a strong executive branch, judiciary, and enforcement mechanisms. This weakness made it challenging to enforce federal laws, and some states simply ignored or resisted them. For example, the central government had no power to compel states to comply with provisions of the Treaty of Paris of 1783, which ended the American Revolution.
These issues and events emphasized the need for a stronger central government, leading to the eventual call for the Constitutional Convention in 1787 to draft a new constitution, which resulted in the creation of the United States Constitution.
1. Economic Disarray: The central government lacked the authority to levy taxes, resulting in significant financial troubles. It could only request funds from the states, which often had their own financial problems and either ignored or resisted these requests. The lack of revenue made it impossible to pay off war debts, fund the military, or carry out necessary functions.
2. Shays' Rebellion: This rebellion occurred in Massachusetts in 1786-1787 when farmers, burdened by debts and lack of economic relief, rose up against the state government. Due to the weak central government, it was unable to respond effectively and had no power to raise an army to quell the uprising. This event underscored the need for a stronger central authority capable of addressing domestic unrest and maintaining law and order.
3. Inability to Regulate Trade: The central government lacked the power to regulate interstate or foreign trade, leading to economic chaos. Each state enforced its trade policies, including imposing tariffs and restricting commerce, hampering the growth of a unified national economy. This lack of control over trade weakened the country's position internationally and hindered economic development.
4. Weak Foreign Policy: The central government under the Articles of Confederation struggled to coordinate foreign policy. It had difficulty establishing credibility and negotiating treaties with foreign governments. The lack of a unified foreign policy led to disputes and conflicts with other nations, undermining the young country's standing on the global stage.
5. Ineffectiveness in Enforcing Laws: The Articles of Confederation lacked a strong executive branch, judiciary, and enforcement mechanisms. This weakness made it challenging to enforce federal laws, and some states simply ignored or resisted them. For example, the central government had no power to compel states to comply with provisions of the Treaty of Paris of 1783, which ended the American Revolution.
These issues and events emphasized the need for a stronger central government, leading to the eventual call for the Constitutional Convention in 1787 to draft a new constitution, which resulted in the creation of the United States Constitution.
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