List 3 problems of Decentralized power that existed under the Articles of Confederation. For each problem, identify one solution that the Constitution provided to address the problem.
By defintion a *confederacy* is a form of government in which political power rests with the smaller unit divisions and the overarching power of a central legal authority is deemphasized. The *federal* constitution divided legal authority between the states and the national officials. Try taxation, for one example. Find some other bits and pieces on your own before returning please. Thank you!
The key word here is *decentralized*. This should be pretty straightforward.
Under the Articles of Confederation, there were three significant problems related to decentralized power. The Constitution addressed these problems by providing suitable solutions:
1. Problem: Weak central authority - The Articles of Confederation established a weak central government that lacked the power to regulate trade, levy taxes, or enforce laws effectively.
Solution: The Constitution created a stronger central government with separate branches - executive, legislative, and judicial. It granted the necessary powers to the central government, such as the authority to regulate interstate commerce and levy taxes. This helped establish a more efficient and effective governance structure.
2. Problem: Inability to resolve conflicts between states - The Articles of Confederation did not provide an adequate mechanism to resolve disputes between states, leading to conflicts over boundary disputes, trade disagreements, and other issues.
Solution: The Constitution introduced the federal court system, including the Supreme Court, to resolve conflicts between states and provide a standardized interpretation of the law. The "Full Faith and Credit" clause ensured that each state would respect the public acts, records, and judicial proceedings of every other state.
3. Problem: Lack of a unified military and defense system - Under the Articles of Confederation, the central government had limited ability to raise an army or enforce national defense, making the new nation vulnerable to external threats and internal insurrections.
Solution: The Constitution addressed this issue by granting the central government the power to raise and maintain a standing army, form a navy, and call upon the militia of the states to enforce federal laws and defend the country. This unified and strengthened military capability helped ensure national security.
In summary, the Constitution resolved the problems of weak central authority by establishing separate branches of government, providing mechanisms to resolve state conflicts through federal courts, and enabling the creation of a unified military and defense system. These solutions sought to address the deficiencies of decentralized power under the Articles of Confederation while promoting a more efficient and functional central government.