The Articles of Confederation, adopted in 1777, represented the first attempt to establish a unified government for the newly independent United States. However, this initial framework suffered from several critical weaknesses. These included a lack of a strong central authority, giving most powers to the states; the absence of a national currency and uniform economic policies, hindering interstate trade; and an inability to effectively address national security concerns. The inability of the central government to levy taxes or regulate commerce ultimately led to its failure and the subsequent drafting of the United States Constitution.
Understanding the flaws of the Articles is key to appreciating the strengths of the Constitution that replaced it. The practice questions below will help you identify and remember these crucial weaknesses.
Match the following terms with their correct definitions:
| Term | Definition |
|---|---|
| 1. Confederation | A. The power to regulate trade between states |
| 2. Sovereignty | B. An alliance of independent states |
| 3. Tariff | C. Supreme power or authority |
| 4. Levy | D. A tax on imported goods |
| 5. Interstate Commerce | E. To impose or collect (e.g., a tax) |
The Articles of Confederation created a government that was deliberately _____. This was because the states were fearful of replicating the strong central authority they had just fought to overthrow. One major problem was that the national government could not directly _____ taxes; it had to ask the states for money, which they often refused to pay. This made it difficult to maintain a national _____ or address issues like debt from the Revolutionary War. Additionally, the Articles lacked a national _____ system, leading to economic instability and difficulty in conducting business between states.
If you were a delegate to the Constitutional Convention in 1787, what arguments would you use to convince states to give up some of their power to a stronger national government? Explain your reasoning and provide specific examples from the period under the Articles of Confederation to support your claims.
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