Bureau of Engraving and Printing. "Commemorative stamp, Articles of Confederation, 200th anniversary, 1977 issue." September 30, 1977. Enlarged and rendered for tone and clarity by Gwillhickers. United States Post Office; Smithsonian National Postal Museum.
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Weaknesses of Articles of Confederation
The Articles of Confederation, America's first attempt at creating a national government, had several weaknesses that hindered its effectiveness. These weaknesses ultimately led to the creation of a stronger federal government under the United States Constitution. Let's explore some of the major weaknesses of the Articles of Confederation.
1. No provisions for the collection of national revenue:
One of the significant weaknesses of the Articles of Confederation was the lack of a system to collect national revenue. Revenue refers to the total amount of money collected by the government through taxes. This became a problem when states failed to contribute their share of taxes to the national government. Without a reliable source of income, the Confederation struggled to meet its financial obligations.
2. No federal court system:
Another weakness of the Articles of Confederation was the absence of a federal court system. The Confederation had no formal process for settling disputes between states. This lack of a strong judicial system made it challenging to resolve conflicts and maintain order among the states.
3. Lack of a strong federal government:
The Articles of Confederation created a weak central government that lacked the power to address critical issues effectively. This threatened the viability of the Confederation as a whole. Without a strong federal government, it was difficult to enforce laws and maintain unity among the states.
4. No power to regulate commerce:
The Articles of Confederation did not grant the central government the power to regulate commerce. As a result, conflicts regarding taxes on goods that crossed state borders remained unresolved. This lack of regulation hindered economic growth and created tensions among the states.
5. Absence of a federal leader or executive:
Under the Articles of Confederation, there was no position of a federal leader or executive with the power to respond to national crises or emergencies. This became evident during events like Shays' Rebellion, where the Confederation struggled to effectively address the uprising. The absence of strong leadership at the national level weakened the government's ability to handle such situations.
6. Small national force and reliance on state militias:
The Confederation only had a very small national force, leading to a reliance on state militias and navies for defense. This created a patchwork of different forces and made it challenging to coordinate military efforts effectively. The lack of a unified national defense system weakened the Confederation's ability to protect its interests.
7. Lack of uniformity in currency:
States were not prevented from issuing their own currency under the Articles of Confederation. As a result, there was a lack of uniformity in currency across the country. This led to confusion and rendered some currencies useless in certain cases, hindering economic stability.
8. Difficulty in making decisions:
Congressional decisions under the Articles of Confederation required the approval of at least nine states, with each state having only one vote. This made it difficult to reach a consensus and pass necessary legislation. The cumbersome decision-making process slowed down progress and hindered effective governance.
In conclusion, the weaknesses of the Articles of Confederation, such as the lack of provisions for national revenue, absence of a federal court system, and the overall weakness of the federal government, highlighted the need for a stronger central authority. These weaknesses paved the way for the creation of the United States Constitution, which established a more robust federal government capable of addressing the nation's challenges.
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