What were the weaknesses of the Articles of Confederation? How did the U.S. Constitution fix those weaknesses?
The Articles of Confederation was the first constitution of the United States, adopted in 1781. While it established a framework for governing the newly formed nation, several weaknesses became apparent over time. The weaknesses of the Articles of Confederation included:
1. Limited central authority: The central government had very few powers and lacked the ability to enforce laws or regulate commerce effectively.
2. No executive or judicial branch: The Articles created a weak national government without an executive branch to enforce laws or a judicial branch to interpret them.
3. No power to raise revenue: The central government lacked the authority to collect taxes, severely limiting its ability to fund essential functions and repay debts.
4. No power to regulate commerce: The Articles did not grant the central government the power to regulate trade among the states or with foreign nations, leading to economic disputes and barriers.
5. Inflexibility: Amending the Articles required the unanimous consent of all 13 states, making it nearly impossible to make necessary changes.
Recognizing the need for a stronger central government, the United States Constitution was drafted in 1787 and addressed these shortcomings. The U.S. Constitution fixed the weaknesses of the Articles of Confederation through the following measures:
1. Centralized government: The Constitution established a stronger central government with separate branches—executive, legislative, and judicial—each with defined powers and checks and balances.
2. Enumerated powers: The Constitution granted specific powers to the federal government, including the ability to tax, regulate commerce, and maintain a standing army.
3. Separation of powers: The division of powers between the federal government and the states allowed for a better distribution of authority and prevented a concentration of power.
4. Supremacy Clause: The Constitution established the Supremacy Clause, which made federal law the supreme law of the land, ensuring a unifying framework and resolving conflicts between state laws.
5. Easier amendment process: The Constitution outlined a more flexible amendment process, requiring approval from two-thirds of both houses of Congress and three-fourths of the states, allowing for necessary changes to be made.
In summary, the weaknesses of the Articles of Confederation, such as limited central authority, lack of power to raise revenue, and inability to regulate commerce, were addressed by the U.S. Constitution through the creation of a stronger central government, enumerated powers, separation of powers, the Supremacy Clause, and an easier amendment process.