The following Free Response question has two parts.
Name two weaknesses of the Articles of Confederation. For each weakness explain how that weakness led to the writing of the US Constitution.
Format your answer as follows:
1. Naming the first weakness, then the explanation of how that weakness led to the writing of the US Constitution
2. Naming the second weakness, then the explanation of how that weakness led to the writing of the US Constitution
1. One weakness of the Articles of Confederation was the lack of a strong central government. Under the Articles, each state had its own sovereignty and had the power to make decisions independently. However, this led to a lack of unity and coordination among the states. There was no central authority to enforce laws, regulate commerce, or resolve disputes between states. This weakness became apparent during times of crisis such as Shays' Rebellion, where the state militias proved insufficient in dealing with internal rebellion.
This weakness led to the writing of the US Constitution because it highlighted the need for a stronger central government that could address the shortcomings of the Articles. The Constitution established a federal system in which there would be a central government with powers over the states, ensuring unity and the ability to make and enforce laws at the national level. The Constitution also created three branches of government with checks and balances to prevent any one branch from becoming too powerful, addressing the previous lack of centralized authority.
2. Another weakness of the Articles of Confederation was the inability to collect taxes. Under the Articles, the central government relied on voluntary contributions from the states, but there was no mechanism to enforce this tax collection. This led to a lack of funds for the central government to carry out its functions, such as paying off war debts or adequately funding the military. As a result, the national government struggled financially and faced persistent economic instability.
This weakness played a significant role in the writing of the US Constitution as it revealed the need for a new system of taxation that could effectively fund the central government. The Constitution granted Congress the power to levy taxes on individuals and regulate commerce, enabling the federal government to generate its own revenue. This power to tax and raise funds was crucial in establishing a more stable and financially secure central government, ensuring its ability to function effectively and meet its obligations.
Shorter answer please
The following Free Response question has two parts.
Name two weaknesses of the Articles of Confederation. For each weakness explain how that weakness led to the writing of the US Constitution.
Format your answer as follows:
1. Naming the first weakness, then the explanation of how that weakness led to the writing of the US Constitution
2. Naming the second weakness, then the explanation of how that weakness led to the writing of the US Constitution
Please only 2-3 sentence for each
1. Weakness: Lack of central government power and authority.
Explanation: The Articles of Confederation established a weak central government that had limited power and authority. This meant that the central government was unable to effectively enforce laws, regulate commerce, or collect taxes. As a result, there were frequent disputes among the states, and the central government struggled to maintain order and create a sense of unity among the states. This weakness became evident during events like Shays' Rebellion, where a group of farmers in Massachusetts rebelled against high taxes and debt. The inability of the central government to respond to this rebellion exposed the need for a stronger and more centralized government to maintain law and order. This ultimately led to the writing of the US Constitution, which created a stronger central government with expanded powers, such as the power to levy taxes, regulate trade, and maintain a standing army.
2. Weakness: Inability to amend the Articles of Confederation without unanimous consent.
Explanation: The Articles of Confederation required unanimous consent from all thirteen states to make any amendments. This made it extremely difficult to modify or improve the weaknesses of the existing system. As the United States grew and faced new challenges, it became clear that the Articles of Confederation were too rigid and inflexible to adapt to changing circumstances. For example, there were disputes among the states regarding issues like trade and taxation, but the unanimous consent requirement prevented any significant changes from being made to resolve these conflicts. This highlighted the need for a more efficient and flexible governing document that could be amended with a reasonable consensus. The Constitutional Convention was convened to address this weakness and resulted in the drafting of the US Constitution, which established a framework that allowed for amendments to be made with the approval of a specified majority of states, thus providing a more practical and adaptable system of governance.
To answer this question, we need to start by understanding the weaknesses of the Articles of Confederation and then explain how each weakness led to the writing of the US Constitution.
1. One weakness of the Articles of Confederation was the lack of a strong central government. Under the Articles, the central government had limited powers and had difficulty making and enforcing laws. This weakness led to the writing of the US Constitution because it became evident that a stronger central government was necessary to effectively govern the country. The founding fathers realized that without a stronger central authority, it would be challenging to address issues such as interstate commerce, defense, and foreign policy. As a result, they sought to create a new constitution that would establish a stronger federal government with the power to legislate, enforce laws, and coordinate the affairs of the states.
2. Another weakness of the Articles of Confederation was the absence of a national judiciary. The Articles did not provide for a federal court system to interpret and enforce laws consistently across the states. This weakness led to the writing of the US Constitution because it underscored the need for a unified legal system that could resolve disputes between states and ensure equal justice. Recognizing the importance of a national judiciary, the framers of the Constitution established a Supreme Court and empowered the federal judiciary to interpret laws, resolve conflicts, and uphold the principles of the Constitution. By creating a national judiciary, they aimed to establish a more cohesive and effective legal system for the country.
By identifying these weaknesses and their implications, we can understand why the framers of the US Constitution sought to rectify these issues and create a stronger government structure that would better serve the needs of the nation.