Strengths And Weaknesses Of Congress Under The Articles Of Confederation

Paige Balestrieri January 1st, 2017 Honors US History I Period 1 Chapter 9 Alternative Assessment Answers The Articles Of Confederation had many weak components to it. With those weaknesses, the one that stood out was how all power rested within the states.

Essay topic: Explain why Hamilton and Madison called for a Constitutional Convention in 1787 and discuss the proposed plans. Discuss and describe the struggles and the many compromises that were reflected in the final version of the U.S. Constitution. How and why does the Constitution divide government power among three branches? America needed a new organization to keep it from falling apart, however America also feared a strong controlling government. Each state was so independent that they all had their own constitutions ,consisting of a bill of rights guaranteeing certain freedoms and legal protections to the state’s citizens, and their own currency.

Numerous people argue that the articles of confederation were weak and unsuitable for the United States, but there are multiple advantages to this document. Such as having no single leader to rule over them and tell them what to do, each state had one vote in the congress, and the congress could settle in and deal with the western lands. The Articles of confederation could have been strong and suitable for the United States because it protected the states from earlier tyranny that they had experienced due to the British King George lll, and promised to prevent any tyrannical rule of the British. The articles of confederation also allowed each state one vote, regardless of the number of delegates each had, the size of their state, or the

Following the Revolutionary War, America had just gained independance from Great Britain and needed to form a new government. The Articles of Confederation were established as an attempt to create a government that was unlike Britain’s. Unfortunately, the Articles of Confederation had several weaknesses. When in the process of repairing those weaknesses, the Federalists and the Anti-federalists formed. The Articles of Confederation were very weak as well as useless to America and because of this, the Federalists and the Anti-Federalists could not agree on a new type of government.

The Articles of Confederation went into effect 1781 and was an easy way for Congress to borrow money, settle disputes, enter into treaties, establish armed forces, regulate coinage, etc. The Articles of Confederation, however, did come with flaws. Congress could not regulate commerce and directly tax the people. Congress could not compel states to pay their share of government costs and lacked power to enforce its laws. Congress could not enforce foreign treaties with the states and states entered into treaties independent of Congress.

The Articles of Confederation was an agreement among the thirteen original states of the United States that served as the first constitution. The Articles had first been introduced by Richard Henry Lee in the Second Continental Congress. Although the Articles of Confederation has made its contributions throughout history, the Articles, however, did not last very long and had been proven inadequate from the very start. I agree with this statement based on the examples and analysis of the Constitution I will soon provide. The Articles of Confederation were written during a time when the American people feared a strong national government.

The Articles of Confederation was the first constitution of a newly formed country. Congress ratified the Articles in 1881. The Articles of Confederation gave the states significant power, but defined a weak central government. For example, the central government could not impose taxes. They could only collect revenue when states made donations.

The Articles of Confederation was the first form of government of United States. The Articles of Confederation was so weak because the Federal government didn’t have the right to tax the citizen, so they would not have enough capital to pay the loan that was borrowed during Revolutionary War. Nevertheless, every amendment required all 13 states to approve, so it was so difficult to set up an amendment. Therefore, changes were almost impossible to happen. It led to the Constitutional Convention because the politician thought the Articles of Confederation was too weak, so they did need improvement.

Congress scared of creating a tyrannical government, especially after they had just fought so hard against one, created the Articles of Confederation. While not meant to be permanent more just to satisfy the citizens it still did not last as long as intended. The Articles of Confederation were a major stepping stone on the road to creating a country that will last for centuries. The Articles of Confederation were chosen as Congress felt Parliament had too much power and as a result they severely limited the powers of the national gov’t.

Many believed that the adoption of the union had alleviated all problems surrounding independence but later realized that it was crumbling right before their eyes. Following the Declaration of Independence, Continental Congress became aware that it was a necessity to form a national government. During the discussion for a new government, many problems were encountered. One of the issues that was faced dealt with the question as to whether representation and voting would be would be portioned out or would it be done by each state. This caused some problems and delays for the constitution but after Philadelphia had been captured by Britain, this became a matter of urgency.

The Continental Congress drafted the Articles of Confederation soon after the conclusion of the war as a new system of government, the lawyer John Dickinson served as the chief author (Schultz). The federal government formed their existence in 1777, under the Articles of Confederation. This shaky beginning existed simply because the new country was deeply in debt and under the watchful eye of foreign nations waiting to see just how the infant nation would fare. The Articles were written so that the governing power had no separation, it existed as a single legislature, that closely followed the Continental Congress's system (Schultz). It is very hard for me to imagine our country leaderless, without a president, a monarch or a prime minister,

The United States Constitution overcame the weaknesses of the Articles of Confederation to provide the organization of the new government. In the late 1700s, in the thirteen original colonies the American Revolution was fought against the British. In this war, the outnumbered colonists won. After the war, they developed the Articles of Confederation, which were the first type of government that the colonists had. This government was very weak.

The new constitution, a document granting the framework for a new democratic government, replacing the Articles of the Confederation. This new document gained approval from some of the citizens, but also raised questions and concerns from others. There was a constant back and forth between the two groups on whether or not the constitution should be ratified. This editorial provides historical background on the issue and expresses my opinion on which side I would’ve chosen.