Short Answer Response Questions:
In a paragraph (4-5 complete sentences)
Discuss the weaknesses of the Articles of Confederation outlined in your notes and explain how they contributed to the decision to create a new constitution. Include specific examples from your notes to support your answer.
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10 points
The weaknesses of the Articles of Confederation were numerous and had a significant impact on the decision to create a new constitution. Firstly, one of its inherent weaknesses was the lack of a strong central government. This was evident in the fact that Congress lacked the power to enforce laws and had no authority to levy taxes. As stated in my notes, this led to a lack of funds for the government which hindered its ability to function effectively. Additionally, the absence of an executive branch meant that there was no one to carry out and enforce the laws passed by Congress, resulting in a weak and ineffective national government. Another weakness of the Articles of Confederation was the lack of a national judiciary system. Without a central court system, there was no way to settle disputes between states, leading to potential conflicts and a lack of unity among the states. For instance, my notes mention that there were frequent trade disputes and disagreements over boundary lines between states that remained unresolved. These weaknesses ultimately contributed to the realization that a new constitution was necessary in order to establish a stronger federal government that could effectively address the needs and challenges facing the nation.
The weaknesses of the Articles of Confederation, as outlined in my notes, played a crucial role in the decision to create a new constitution. One major weakness was the lack of a strong central government, which resulted in a weak national economic system. Under the Articles, the national government had no power to levy taxes or regulate trade, leading to economic chaos and disputes among the states. For example, states imposed their own tariffs and fought over trade routes, hindering interstate commerce.
Additionally, the Articles of Confederation did not provide a strong executive branch capable of enforcing laws or making decisive decisions. The lack of a national executive meant that important decisions had to be made by committees or the states themselves, resulting in a slow and inefficient decision-making process. For instance, there was no effective way to handle conflicts between states or enforce laws, which led to problems such as Shays' Rebellion in Massachusetts in 1786.
Furthermore, the Articles did not provide a mechanism for amending the government structure, which made it difficult to address the emerging challenges of the time. Any amendments required unanimous consent from all thirteen states, which proved to be practically impossible. This rigidity hindered the ability to adapt to changing circumstances and address pressing issues. An example of this was the inability to address issues regarding the western territories and the conflicting land claims among the states.
Overall, these weaknesses highlighted in my notes, including the lack of central authority, weak executive branch, and the inability to amend the government structure, demonstrated that the Articles of Confederation were inadequate for effectively governing the newly formed United States. As a result, these weaknesses contributed to the decision to create a new constitution that would establish a stronger central government, provide for the economic stability of the nation, and address crucial issues facing the country.