Write a five-hundred word report, detailing the specific problems that developed as a result of the weaknesses of the Articles of Confederation.
You may choose to conduct additional research to build your understanding of the details of each of the problems. If you do choose to use research information, your sources should be cited appropriately.
Title: The Weaknesses of the Articles of Confederation and the Resulting Problems
Introduction:
The Articles of Confederation served as the first constitution of the United States, creating a framework for the government and its responsibilities. However, the document, which was ratified in 1781, faced several weaknesses that led to various issues in the country. Some of the key problems that emerged from the weaknesses of the Articles of Confederation included the lack of a centralized government, the lack of authority for the regulation of commerce and taxation, the inability to maintain a standing army, and issues with interstate disputes.
Lack of Centralized Government:
One of the major weaknesses of the Articles of Confederation was its lack of a strong centralized government. The purpose of the Articles was to preserve the autonomy of the states, but this created a weak central government that had limited power. The US government could not regulate commerce, levy taxes, or maintain a standing army, which led to various challenges in diplomacy and the ability to protect national interests (Jillson & Wilson, 2018).
The lack of a centralized government weakened the United States' ability to negotiate and establish diplomacy with foreign powers, as it was unclear who could negotiate on behalf of the nation. The nation's credibility in the international community was low, as there was no strong leader to represent the US (Jillson & Wilson, 2018). The inability to maintain a standing army ultimately led to significant security issues, as the nation lacked a unified military force during times of conflict, such as threats from Native American tribes (Wood, 2016).
Regulation of Commerce and Taxation:
Another weakness of the Articles of Confederation was the lack of authority granted to the central government in regulating commerce and levying taxes. Congress could request funds from the states only, and it was up to the states whether they would pay or not. This created an unstable financial situation, where the government could not finance its operations or projects (Jillson & Wilson, 2018).
The inability to regulate commerce led to economic issues within the country, as states began to impose tariffs on goods from other states. This hindered economic integration and led to trade wars between states, negatively impacting the nation's overall economy (Wood, 2016). The lack of national currency also became a significant problem, as states would develop their own currency, leading to economic instability and chaos (Jillson & Wilson, 2018).
Interstate Disputes:
The Articles of Confederation failed to provide a mechanism for resolving interstate disputes. The lack of a central authority allowed for states to act in their own self-interest, which led to conflicts over territory, trade, and resources (Jillson & Wilson, 2018). One specific example is the long-lasting dispute between Maryland and Virginia over the navigation rights on the Potomac River (Holton, 2016). Such disputes created divisions among the states and hindered the nation from achieving unity.
Conclusion:
The Articles of Confederation established the first government structure for the United States, aiming to preserve the autonomy of the states. Unfortunately, this document presented several weaknesses that led to specific problems. The lack of a centralized government and authority to regulate commerce, taxation, and maintain a standing army created significant issues in diplomacy, national security, and economic stability. Furthermore, the Articles did not provide mechanisms for resolving interstate disputes, leading to continued conflicts to this day. The identified weaknesses within the government structure necessitated the creation of a new constitution that would address the shortcomings of the Articles of Confederation and provide a more stable framework for governance in the United States.
References:
Holton, W. (2016). Unruly Americans and the Origins of the Constitution. Hill and Wang.
Jillson, C., & Wilson, R. (2018). American Government: Institutional and Political Development. Oxford University Press.
Wood, G. (2016). The Creation of the American Republic, 1776-1787. Omohundro Institute and University of North Carolina Press.