Evaluate the extent to which the Articles of Confederation were effective in solving the problems that confronted the new nation.
After the revolution, this gave the states freedom and independence. There was a comitee of delegates of representatives from each state.
Maybe this was effective in how it showed the states that they were not going to be controlled, like a monarchy, and this helped bring the states together.
Am I right? What else can I say about this? Thankyou
Add specific examples:
After the revolution, this gave the states freedom and independence. There was a comitee of delegates of representatives from each state.
* "this" = ??
* freedom from what?
* independence to do what?
* (spelling of "committee")
* representatives did what?
Maybe this was effective in how it showed the states that they were not going to be controlled, like a monarchy, and this helped bring the states together.
* Maybe??
* by whom would they not be controlled
how is a monarchy different from what they were setting up?
* how did the states remain separate states and still come together?
Perhaps the most important power that Congress was denied was the power of taxation: Congress could only request money from the states. Understandably, the states did not generally comply with the requests in full, leaving the confederation chronically short of funds. The states and the national congress had both incurred debts during the war, and paying congressional debts became a major issue.
Nevertheless, the Continental Congress did take two actions with lasting impact. The Land Ordinance of 1785 established the general land survey and ownership provisions used throughout later American expansion. The Northwest Ordinance of 1787 noted the agreement of the original states to give up western land claims and cleared the way for the entry of new states.
Once the unity demanded by the Revolutionary War became unnecessary, the Continental Army was largely disbanded. A very small national force was maintained to man frontier forts and protect against Indian attacks. Meanwhile, each of the states had an army (or militia), and 11 of them had navies. The wartime promises of bounties and land grants to be paid for service were not being met. In 1783, Washington defused the Newburgh conspiracy, but riots by unpaid Pennsylvania veterans forced the Congress to leave Philadelphia on June 21."
Yes, you are correct that the Articles of Confederation established a decentralized system of government that aimed to protect the independence and sovereignty of the individual states. This was in contrast to the previous experience of being under a monarchy. The creation of a committee of delegates allowed the states to have a voice in the decision-making process, fostering a sense of unity and cooperation among them.
However, while the Articles of Confederation were successful in some aspects, they also faced significant challenges that hindered their effectiveness in solving the problems confronting the new nation. One major issue was the lack of a strong central government. The Articles provided for a weak central authority with limited powers, making it difficult to enforce laws, raise revenue, and maintain order. This weak central government also hampered the ability to coordinate and carry out effective foreign policy.
Additionally, under the Articles of Confederation, each state had one vote in the Congress, regardless of population size. This meant that larger states had the same level of representation as smaller states, leading to disputes and inequalities in decision-making. The inability to resolve conflicts and reach consensus on important issues often stalled progress and hindered problem-solving.
Furthermore, the Articles of Confederation lacked a system of checks and balances, leaving the government susceptible to corruption and abuse of power. There was no executive branch to enforce laws, and the Congress had limited authority over the states. These weaknesses ultimately led to economic instability, as the federal government struggled to repay its war debts and lacked the power to regulate trade effectively.
In conclusion, while the Articles of Confederation initially served as a means of securing states' independence and fostering a sense of unity, their limited powers and structural weaknesses significantly hindered their effectiveness in solving the problems that confronted the new nation. These challenges ultimately led to the abandonment of the Articles and the creation of a stronger central government under the United States Constitution.
To evaluate the extent to which the Articles of Confederation were effective in solving the problems of the new nation, it is important to consider several key aspects. Here are some additional points to consider for a more comprehensive evaluation:
1. Lack of Central Authority: One of the main weaknesses of the Articles of Confederation was the absence of a strong central government. While this allowed for state autonomy, it also resulted in significant challenges in effectively managing national affairs, such as taxation, interstate trade regulation, and defense. These challenges hindered the effectiveness of the Articles in solving key problems.
2. Limited Powers: The Articles of Confederation granted limited powers to the national government. For example, the national government could not levy taxes or regulate commerce, impacting its ability to address economic issues and promote national growth. These limitations reduced the effectiveness of the Articles in solving economic and trade-related problems.
3. Weakness in Enforcement: The Articles lacked a strong system of enforcement, as they required unanimous approval from all states to amend or make changes. This made it difficult to pass legislation, resolve disputes, and take coordinated action. Consequently, the ability of the Articles to address and solve various problems that confronted the new nation was severely limited.
4. Challenges in Foreign Affairs: The Articles of Confederation faced significant challenges in foreign relations, particularly due to the lack of a unified approach and central authority. The inability to negotiate treaties and regulate trade with other nations effectively impacted the new nation's diplomatic standing, economic potential, and overall security.
5. Accomplishments: Despite its weaknesses and limitations, the Articles did have some accomplishments. For instance, they provided a legal foundation for the Northwest Ordinance of 1787, which established a process for admitting new states and prohibited slavery in the Northwest Territory. Additionally, the Articles served as a unifying force during the Revolutionary War and the early years of independence.
In conclusion, while the Articles of Confederation provided a sense of independence and freedom to the states, they were not particularly effective in solving the problems confronting the new nation. The lack of a strong central authority, limited powers, weak enforcement, and challenges in foreign affairs hindered their ability to effectively address key issues.