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 (4 points)
1. The first weakness of the Articles of Confederation was the lack of a strong central government. The Articles of Confederation created a government that was intentionally weak, as the framers were deeply skeptical of concentrating power in a central authority. However, this weakness became evident in practice as the government struggled to effectively carry out its duties. The central government did not have the power to levy taxes or regulate commerce between states, leading to financial instability and interstate conflicts. This weakness eventually led to the writing of the US Constitution as the founding fathers recognized the need for a stronger central government that could effectively address these issues and provide stability and unity to the young nation.
2. The second weakness of the Articles of Confederation was the lack of a unified system for resolving disputes between states. Under the Articles, each state had its own sovereignty and could act as it pleased, which often resulted in conflicting laws and regulations. There was no mechanism in place to resolve these disputes, leading to a breakdown in interstate relations. For example, states would impose tariffs on each other's goods, hindering trade and economic growth.
This weakness prompted the need for a writing of the US Constitution as it became clear that a stronger central authority was necessary to mediate and resolve these disputes between states. The Constitution established a system where the federal government had the power to regulate interstate commerce and resolve conflicts between states through the federal court system. This provided a more unified and efficient way of managing disputes between states and promoting economic growth and cooperation among them.
shorten it
1. Weakness: Lack of a strong central government. Explanation: The Articles' weak central government struggled to carry out its duties, unable to levy taxes or regulate commerce. This led to financial instability and conflict between states, prompting the need for a stronger central government as provided in the US Constitution.
2. Weakness: Lack of a unified system for resolving disputes between states. Explanation: The Articles allowed each state to act independently, leading to conflicting laws and trade barriers. The US Constitution established a federal system where the government could regulate commerce and resolve interstate conflicts through the federal court system, promoting unity and cooperation among states.
shorten it a little more
1. Weakness: Lack of strong central government. Explanation: Articles' weak central government couldn't levy taxes or regulate commerce, causing instability. Led to need for a stronger central government in the US Constitution.
2. Weakness: Lack of unified dispute resolution. Explanation: Articles allowed states to act independently, leading to conflicting laws and trade barriers. US Constitution established federal system to regulate commerce and resolve conflicts, promoting unity among states.
ok ok u gonna hate me but shorten it one more time
1. Weakness: Weak central government. Explanation: Articles couldn't levy taxes or regulate commerce, causing instability. Led to need for stronger central government in US Constitution.
2. Weakness: Lack of unified dispute resolution. Explanation: Articles allowed states to act independently, causing conflicting laws and trade barriers. US Constitution established federal system to regulate commerce and resolve conflicts, promoting state unity.
limit it to 50 words
1. Weakness: Weak central government. Explanation: Articles lacked power to tax or regulate commerce, causing instability. Led to need for stronger central government in Constitution.
2. Weakness: Lack of unified dispute resolution. Explanation: Articles allowed independent states, causing conflicting laws and trade barriers. Constitution established federal system to regulate commerce and resolve conflicts, promoting unity.