The Articles of Confederation
(Text taken from unit summaries written by Chris Miraglia and Adrian Montero)
The Articles of Confederation was the first constitution of the United States. The government under the Articles set up a one-house legislature, called Congress, which gave each state only one vote, no matter the size or population of the state. Each state maintained its sovereignty, or independent power, to manage its own affairs without interference from the central government. Congress was given some powers under the Articles of Confederation.
They were as follows:
-Congress had the authority to make agreements with other countries
-Borrow money
-Issue currency
-Maintain an army
Two important powers that Congress did NOT have were:
-Congress could not enforce laws
-Congress could not tax
It became clear soon after the approval of the Articles that there were major weaknesses. These weaknesses included:
-Congress needed nine states to approve any law.
-The Articles could only be amended, or changed, by a unanimous vote of all states. These restrictions made it difficult for Congress to accomplish anything.
-There was no executive branch to enforce the laws, or to make sure that the laws were carried out and followed.
-There was no judicial branch or courts to resolve problems among states
In order for the states to pay back their debts from the Revolutionary War, the state governments had raised taxes on farmers. Since farmers could not sell their crops they were not able to pay higher taxes. Therefore, states began to seize, or take, the farmers’ land. As a direct result of this action, farmers in Massachusetts, led by Daniel Shays, marched to seize arms and ammunition. It appeared as though some parts of the country were ready to rebel so troops were sent to stop the farmers and ended up shooting at them. This incident was known as Shay’s Rebellion.
Shay's Rebellion made people realize that they needed a stronger central or federal government in order to prevent future rebellions and other incidents of that nature.
As a result, delegates decided to create a NEW Constitution to meet the needs of the new nation. The new Constitution would address the weaknesses in the Articles of Confederation and set up a government that emphasized popular sovereignty, limited government, Republicanism, Federalism, Separation of Powers, Checks and Balances, and Individual Rights.
They were as follows:
-Congress had the authority to make agreements with other countries
-Borrow money
-Issue currency
-Maintain an army
Two important powers that Congress did NOT have were:
-Congress could not enforce laws
-Congress could not tax
It became clear soon after the approval of the Articles that there were major weaknesses. These weaknesses included:
-Congress needed nine states to approve any law.
-The Articles could only be amended, or changed, by a unanimous vote of all states. These restrictions made it difficult for Congress to accomplish anything.
-There was no executive branch to enforce the laws, or to make sure that the laws were carried out and followed.
-There was no judicial branch or courts to resolve problems among states
In order for the states to pay back their debts from the Revolutionary War, the state governments had raised taxes on farmers. Since farmers could not sell their crops they were not able to pay higher taxes. Therefore, states began to seize, or take, the farmers’ land. As a direct result of this action, farmers in Massachusetts, led by Daniel Shays, marched to seize arms and ammunition. It appeared as though some parts of the country were ready to rebel so troops were sent to stop the farmers and ended up shooting at them. This incident was known as Shay’s Rebellion.
Shay's Rebellion made people realize that they needed a stronger central or federal government in order to prevent future rebellions and other incidents of that nature.
As a result, delegates decided to create a NEW Constitution to meet the needs of the new nation. The new Constitution would address the weaknesses in the Articles of Confederation and set up a government that emphasized popular sovereignty, limited government, Republicanism, Federalism, Separation of Powers, Checks and Balances, and Individual Rights.