Directions: Begin by reading the areas of concern regarding the Articles of Confederation. Consider how these areas of concern would create problems for the nation. After considering the problems, determine how the Constitution addressed or fixes these areas of concern.
The national government had to request states for taxes and money.
What problem(s) would this create?
The problem with the national government having to request states for taxes and money is that it created a significant difficulty in effectively and efficiently funding the operations of the government. Without the power to directly tax and collect revenue, the national government relied heavily on the voluntary contributions from the states. However, since there was no specific obligation for states to contribute, they often neglected or delayed the payments. This resulted in a chronic lack of funds for the national government to carry out its functions, such as paying off debts, running a military, or conducting foreign diplomacy.
How did the Constitution address this concern?
The Constitution addressed this concern by granting the national government the power to levy taxes and collect revenue directly from the people. Specifically, Article I, Section 8 of the Constitution grants Congress the authority to lay and collect taxes to pay the debts and provide for the common defense and general welfare of the United States. This provision eliminated the dependency on state contributions and allowed the national government to generate its own funds to operate effectively.
The problem created by the national government having to request taxes and money from states under the Articles of Confederation was that it made it difficult for the national government to raise funds efficiently and effectively. The states had the power to refuse or delay contributing funds, which meant that the national government often lacked the necessary resources to address urgent matters or carry out its functions. This created financial instability and hindered the ability of the national government to fulfill its obligations and responsibilities.
When the national government had to request states for taxes and money under the Articles of Confederation, it created several problems for the young nation.
One major problem was that it often led to delays and inconsistencies in funding. Since the national government had to rely on the willingness and promptness of the states to contribute funds, there was no guarantee of a steady or sufficient flow of resources. Some states might contribute more than others, leading to an imbalanced distribution of funds. Additionally, there was no effective mechanism or authority for enforcing tax collection from the states, which further hampered the government's ability to generate revenue.
Another problem was the lack of centralized power and control over financial matters. With the national government being dependent on the states for funding, it had limited authority and couldn't efficiently carry out its functions. It couldn't undertake large-scale infrastructure projects, adequately fund the military, or address urgent financial needs. This weakened the ability of the national government to fulfill its responsibilities and protect the interests of the nation as a whole.
The Constitution sought to address these problems by introducing several key changes. First, it granted the federal government the authority to directly tax individuals and collect revenue without relying solely on the states. This power gave the government more independence and flexibility in generating funds.
Second, the Constitution established a system of checks and balances that ensured the federal government had sufficient authority to manage financial affairs effectively. It established a bicameral legislature with the power to levy and collect taxes, as well as the ability to regulate trade and commerce. This created a stronger federal government that could make financial decisions without being solely dependent on the states.
Overall, the Constitution aimed to address the problems created by the need for the national government to request funds from the states by providing a more efficient and centralized mechanism for revenue generation and financial management.