What are some problems with the Articles of Confederation the cartoon points out? in your own words
The cartoon points out several problems with the Articles of Confederation. First, it criticizes the lack of central authority and the weak national government. The image depicts the central government as a small and weak creature, suggesting that it was unable to effectively govern the states. Additionally, the cartoon highlights the difficulties faced in achieving unanimity among the states, as each state had the power to veto decisions. This resulted in gridlock and slow decision-making. Furthermore, the lack of a strong national government led to economic problems, as shown by the bag of money being empty. This indicates that the central government did not have sufficient powers to levy taxes and regulate trade, leading to economic instability. Overall, the cartoon points out the inefficiencies and shortcomings of the Articles of Confederation, including the weak central authority, the difficulty in achieving consensus, and the economic problems resulting from limited powers.
Who is the cartoonist implying has no power under the Articles of Confederation? in your own words
The cartoonist is implying that the central government, represented by the small and weak creature, has no power under the Articles of Confederation. The image suggests that the national government lacks the authority and control necessary to effectively govern the states. It indicates that the central government was unable to enforce its decisions and lacked the power to make significant decisions without unanimous consent from all the states. Thus, the cartoonist is highlighting the lack of power of the national government under the Articles of Confederation.
Use evidence from the cartoon and your knowledge of the Articles of
Confederation and explain what the cartoonist means by “rough sailing
ahead.”
In the cartoon, the presence of stormy clouds, rough waters, and a ship struggling to stay afloat symbolizes the difficult and challenging journey ahead under the Articles of Confederation. The phrase "rough sailing ahead" suggests that there are significant obstacles and challenges that the nation will face under the Articles of Confederation.
This can be understood by examining the weaknesses of the Articles of Confederation. Under this system, the central government had limited powers and struggled to enforce its decisions. The national government lacked the authority to levy taxes, regulate trade, or establish a strong military. This weakened central authority and lack of a strong national government made it difficult to navigate through complex issues such as economic stability, defense, and interstate disputes.
Furthermore, the requirement of unanimous consent among the states for making any significant decisions resulted in frequent gridlock and slow decision-making. This meant that progress was obstructed, making it challenging to address pressing issues and overcome obstacles effectively.
Therefore, the use of the phrase "rough sailing ahead" in the cartoon suggests that the Articles of Confederation presented a challenging and troubled path for the nation due to the weak central authority, limited powers, difficulty in decision-making, and various other weaknesses associated with this early form of government.
What were some of the weaknesses with the Articles of Confederation?
Some of the weaknesses with the Articles of Confederation were:
1. Weak Central Government: The central government under the Articles of Confederation was intentionally designed to be weak. It lacked the authority and power to enforce laws and decisions on the states effectively. This resulted in a lack of unity and coordination among the states.
2. Lack of Power to Levy Taxes: One of the most significant weaknesses was the central government's inability to levy taxes. It had to rely on voluntary contributions from the states, which often led to inadequate funding for national needs, such as defense and infrastructure.
3. Inability to Regulate Trade: The central government had limited powers to regulate interstate and foreign trade. This led to economic problems, including trade disputes between states and difficulty in establishing consistent trade policies with foreign nations.
4. No National Currency: The Articles of Confederation did not provide for a national currency. Each state had its own money, leading to confusion and difficulty in conducting trade and commerce.
5. Lack of Strong Executive Branch: The central government did not have a strong executive branch. There was no president or executive leader to effectively enforce laws and make decisions. This resulted in a lack of leadership and a slow response to national issues.
6. Difficulty in Amending the Articles: Amending the Articles of Confederation required unanimous consent from all states, making it nearly impossible to make any substantive changes or improvements to the system. This hindered progress and the ability to address the needs of the nation effectively.
Overall, the weaknesses of the Articles of Confederation revolved around the lack of a strong central government, limited powers, difficulties in taxation and trade regulation, absence of a national currency, weak executive leadership, and challenges in making necessary changes to the system. These weaknesses ultimately led to the need for a new and improved form of government, resulting in the drafting of the U.S. Constitution.