Articles of Confederation Weaknesses Articles of Confederation Created

Articles of Confederation Weaknesses

Articles of Confederation Created a “firm league of friendship” between states n Ratified March 1, 1781 n – Became the U. S. Constitution (for a while) n Representatives from each state formed the Congress: – responsible for conducting foreign affairs, declaring war or peace, maintaining (pay for) an army and navy and a variety of other lesser functions

Question n Did we have a President during the time of the Articles? n Can a league make good decisions for everyone?

Weaknesses #1. Under the Articles there was only a unicameral (one) legislature there was no separation of powers n No executive or judicial branch n no one to keep legislature in check n Could not govern effectively n

Weaknesses #2. The central government under the Articles was too weak the majority of the power rested with the states n Put their needs before the Country n

Question n Do you think the central government had any real power? n Would the states have had to approve any decision the government made?

Weaknesses #3. Congress did not have the power to tax n One of the greatest weaknesses n meant that they could never put their finances in order

Question n How could America pay back France when they could not tax the citizens of the country?

Weaknesses #4. In order to change or amend the Articles, unanimous approval of the states was required n Every state HAD to agree n essentially meant that changes to the Articles were impossible

Weaknesses #5. For any major laws to pass they had to be approved by 9 of the 13 states Made it difficult to run a government n Some states would ignore congress or not cooperate, which meant that congress couldn’t do their job n

Question n What could Congress do when states ignored the laws? n Did Congress have the authority to mobilize the military?

Weaknesses #6. Under the Articles, Congress did not have the power to regulate trade n Another great weakness n which will cause competition between states as well as political issues

Question n What do you think happens when everyone can tax trade coming in and leaving the state? n Would some states tax more than others, or would they agree to a level (same) tax?

Solution n On February 21, 1787, Congress called for a Constitutional Convention to be held in May to revise the articles. n Between May and September, the convention wrote the U. S. Constitution n Kept some parts of the Articles of Confederation

Question n If Congress called for the Constitutional Convention, then was it a legal meeting? n Were the members who attended actually committing treason by attending? n If not, then why? If so, why?

Solution-U. S. Constitution n Gave more power to the Federal Government n Allowed government to tax its citizens n Created separation of powers n Congress was split into two houses – Senate and House of Representatives

Question n Why did the Articles of Confederation not work? n Is the U. S. Constitution the current law of the land? n If so, then has it changed since it was created?