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The Articles of Confederation: The Foundation of the United States Government

Dillon Hayes

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The Articles of Confederation

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The Articles of Confederation were the first constitution of the United States of America. They were adopted in 1781 and remained in effect until 1789, when they were replaced by the current Constitution. The Articles of Confederation established a loose confederation of states, with each state retaining its sovereignty. The central government was weak and had few powers.

The Articles of Confederation were written during the American Revolutionary War, when the thirteen colonies were fighting for independence from Great Britain. The colonies were suspicious of a strong central government, and they wanted to retain their own autonomy. As a result, the Articles of Confederation gave the central government very few powers.

The central government under the Articles of Confederation was composed of a unicameral legislature called the Continental Congress. The Congress had the power to declare war, make treaties, and borrow money. However, it did not have the power to tax, regulate commerce, or maintain a standing army.

The Articles of Confederation were ultimately replaced by the Constitution because they were unable to effectively govern the growing United States. The central government was too weak to deal with the challenges facing the country, such as economic instability and foreign threats. The Constitution, which was adopted in 1789, created a stronger central government with more powers.

Strengths of the Articles of Confederation

Protected states' rights
Limited the power of the central government
Prevented the establishment of a monarchy or aristocracy
Allowed for the creation of a national army and navy
Established a system of weights and measures

Weaknesses of the Articles of Confederation

Central government was too weak to effectively govern the country
No power to tax
No power to regulate commerce
No power to maintain a standing army
Difficult to amend

The Articles of Confederation were a necessary step in the development of the United States government. They provided a framework for the new nation and helped to establish the principles of federalism and limited government. However, the Articles of Confederation were ultimately unable to meet the needs of the growing country. The Constitution, which replaced the Articles of Confederation in 1789, created a stronger central government with more powers. The Constitution has served as the foundation of the United States government for over two centuries.

The Articles of Confederation

4.8 out of 5