Articles of Confederation
After gaining independence, the United States needed to create a political system and a government. The government had to meet the goals and ideals for which Americans fought during the war.
The Articles of Confederation were signed in 1781. They consolidated the gains that took place during the War of Independence in North America. Thus, the adoption of the articles proclaimed the formation of a confederation and the eternal union of the states. The Articles of Confederation united for the first time the thirteen states that participated in the American Revolution. However, the articles were valid until 1789 and were replaced by the US Constitution.
The articles of Confederation adopted shortly after the secession did not meet all the demands of the existing society and did not solve the growing problems.
What was the reason that the Articles of Confederation lasted so little time?
Why did the Articles of Confederation fail?
The Articles of Confederation were legally formalized and consolidated, hoping for success and benefit. The Confederacy of the United States of America was not a State. There was unification of free and independent States.
The purpose of these articles was to preserve the freedom and independence of all States. Each state maintained its supremacy. In other words, each state had sovereignty, America, according to the articles, only provided universal defense and preservation of peace.
However, the signed articles did not bring a triumph, but in fact had many problems and shortcomings.
What are the main weaknesses of the articles of confederation?
* Strong states, weak central government. Each state retained its sovereignty and its own authorities. The central General government had no special power.
- There was no way to raise money. The new government, according to the new laws, could not levy taxes.
- There was no regulatory body for trade. The Articles of Confederation delegated the power to regulate trade to each state instead of keeping it at the national level.
- There was no national judicial system or judicial authority.
* It was impossible to pursue a consistent foreign policy; there was no general policy towards the Indians. Congress had no way to act to prevent a rebellion within a state or to deal with the discontent that had already begun.
The Articles of Confederation were weak to create a national judicial system. Any cases recognized as offenses were considered by Congressional committees. Each state had its own understanding of how the laws should be applied. And what punishments should be imposed.
States often argued among themselves. They also refused to provide financial support to the national Government. The National Government was powerless to enforce any laws it passed. Some States have begun to enter into agreements with foreign governments. Most had their own armed forces. Each state printed its own money. There was no stable economy.
They hoped to create a stronger national government. The assembled delegates realized that the changes would not work, and instead the entire article of Confederation should be replaced with a new US constitution that would dictate the structure of the national government.
Ultimately, the articles failed because they were created to make the national government as weak as possible: there was no authority to enforce the laws. No judicial authority or national courts. The amendments had to be adopted unanimously.
As more and more states showed interest in holding meetings to change the Article, a meeting was scheduled in Philadelphia on May 25, 1787. This became a Constitutional Agreement. The Constitution approved a new system of government and a new rule of law. The USA was declared a republic headed by the president.
