Why were the Articles of Confederation so concerned with equality?
Separation of powers would be written into the formation of the national government.
Men are born with the rights of life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness.
The colonists were just freed from an oppressive ruler, and states wanted to make sure they were not going to lose their power again.
Factions might not be removed at every level of government.
The Articles of Confederation were primarily concerned with equality due to the recent experience of the colonists being ruled by an oppressive ruler, King George III. The states did not want to risk losing their power again and aimed to establish a government that distributed power equally among states. Additionally, the founders believed in the natural rights of individuals, including life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness, and sought to protect these rights through a system that valued equality and prevented the rise of factions that could potentially dominate the government. Separation of powers was also incorporated to ensure a balance of authority and prevent any one branch from becoming too powerful.
The Articles of Confederation were concerned with equality for a few reasons. First, the concept of separation of powers was incorporated into the formation of the national government. This was done to ensure a balance of power and prevent any one branch from becoming too dominant.
Second, the idea that all men are born with certain inalienable rights, such as life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness, influenced the focus on equality. These rights were seen as fundamental and should be protected for every individual.
Additionally, the colonists had just gained their independence from an oppressive ruler and they did not want to risk losing their newfound power. The states wanted to maintain their autonomy and prevent a strong central government from again dominating them.
Finally, the authors of the Articles of Confederation recognized that factions, or interest groups, may exist at every level of government. By dispersing power among the states and limiting the authority of the central government, they aimed to prevent factions from unduly influencing decision-making processes.
Overall, the concerns about equality in the Articles of Confederation stemmed from a desire to protect individual rights, prevent the concentration of power, and avoid oppressive rule.