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, the central government had limited powers and was unable to effectively enforce laws or regulate commerce. This led to a lack of unity among the states and difficulties in coordinating common interests and actions. As a result, it became evident that a stronger central government was necessary to address these issues and provide stability and organization to the newly formed nation. This realization eventually led to the writing of the US Constitution, which established a more powerful central government with the ability to govern and make decisions on behalf of the entire country.
2. Another weakness of the Articles of Confederation was the inability to levy taxes and raise revenue. The central government was reliant on contributions from the states, but there was no mechanism to enforce these payments. As a result, the central government often faced financial difficulties and was unable to fulfill its obligations, including paying off war debts. This weakness highlighted the need for a stronger central government with the power to tax and raise revenue independently. The US Constitution addressed this weakness by granting the federal government the authority to levy taxes and manage the nation’s finances, ensuring a more stable economic foundation for the country.
1. One weakness of the Articles of Confederation was the lack of a strong central government. Under the Articles, the federal government had very limited power and could not effectively regulate trade, tax citizens, or maintain a common currency. This weakness led to the writing of the US Constitution because it became apparent that a stronger central government was necessary to address these issues and effectively govern the nation as a whole. The Constitution established a framework for a stronger federal government with separate branches, checks and balances, and the power to levy taxes and regulate commerce.
2. Another weakness of the Articles of Confederation was the inability to enforce laws and resolve disputes between states. The federal government had no authority to compel the states to comply with its laws or decisions, making it difficult to maintain order and unity. This weakness led to the writing of the US Constitution as it became clear that a stronger system of federal courts was needed to enforce laws, resolve conflicts between states, and ensure a more cohesive nation. The Constitution established a federal judiciary system, including the Supreme Court, which has the power to interpret laws and settle disputes between states.
1. One weakness of the Articles of Confederation was the lack of a strong central government. Under the Articles, the individual states had more power and autonomy, which resulted in a weak national government that struggled to enforce laws and coordinate actions among the states. This weakness led to the writing of the US Constitution because it became clear that a stronger central government was necessary to address the challenges faced by the nation. The Constitutional Convention was convened in 1787 with the goal of creating a new framework for government that would establish a more effective system of governance, which eventually resulted in the drafting and adoption of the US Constitution.
2. Another weakness of the Articles of Confederation was the inability of the national government to regulate commerce and establish a unified economic system. Each state had the authority to set its own trade policies and impose tariffs on goods from other states, creating economic barriers and hindering interstate commerce. This weakness led to the writing of the US Constitution to address the need for a stronger national government with the power to regulate trade and establish a common market. The Commerce Clause of the US Constitution, for example, granted the federal government the authority to regulate interstate commerce, ensuring the free flow of goods and promoting economic unity among the states.