Name two weaknesses of the Articles of Confederation. For each weakness explain how that weakness led to the writing of the US Constitution.
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 did not possess the power to effectively enforce laws or regulate trade among the states. This led to economic chaos and disputes between states, as each state had its own laws and regulations regarding trade, tariffs, and currency. For example, some states enacted trade barriers against others, hindering commerce and causing economic instability.
The failure of the central government to effectively address these issues demonstrated the need for a stronger and more unified national government. This led to the writing of the US Constitution, which created a system with a strong central government that could regulate trade, resolve disputes between states, and promote economic stability.
2. Another weakness of the Articles of Confederation was the lack of a national judiciary. The Articles did not establish a federal court system or provide for a mechanism to resolve disputes between states. This led to inconsistent interpretations of laws and the potential for conflicting decisions in different states.
This weakness was evident in cases where states had disagreements over boundaries, trade, and interstate disputes. The absence of a national judiciary to enforce and interpret laws made it difficult to maintain law and order and resolve conflicts effectively.
To address this weakness, the US Constitution established a federal judiciary system that included a Supreme Court and lower federal courts. This judiciary system provided a framework for the resolution of disputes between states and the interpretation of laws at a national level, ensuring uniformity and consistency in legal decisions across the country.
1. Weakness: Lack of centralized power - The Articles of Confederation created a weak central government with limited powers. This meant that the states had more authority, and the federal government had little control over important matters such as taxation and regulation of commerce.
Explanation: This lack of centralized power led to various problems and conflicts among the states. For example, each state had the power to coin its own currency, leading to economic instability and difficulties in interstate trading. Additionally, the federal government had no power to enforce its laws or resolve disputes between states. These issues made it clear that a stronger central government was necessary to maintain order, resolve conflicts, and promote economic stability. As a result, the weakness of the Articles of Confederation in terms of centralized power led to the call for a new constitution that would establish a more robust federal government, which ultimately led to the writing of the US Constitution.
2. Weakness: No executive branch - The Articles of Confederation lacked a separate executive branch. There was no single leader or executive authority to implement and enforce laws, execute decisions, or provide leadership to the federal government.
Explanation: Without an executive branch, the federal government was unable to effectively carry out its functions. It lacked a leader who could make quick and decisive decisions during times of crisis. This weakness became evident during matters of national defense and diplomacy, as the federal government struggled to coordinate collective action and establish a unified foreign policy. The absence of an executive branch also hindered the government's ability to enforce its laws and policies. These shortcomings highlighted the need for a strong executive authority, leading to the creation of the presidency in the US Constitution. The inclusion of an executive branch helped establish a central authority capable of executing laws, leading the nation, and addressing national concerns efficiently.