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 troops.
Under the Articles of Confederation, the national government did not have the power to conscript or raise its own army. Instead, it had to rely on the states to provide troops whenever necessary. This created several problems for the nation.
Firstly, the states had the power to refuse to provide troops, which could lead to issues in national defense. If a state chose not to send troops, it could weaken the national military and leave the country vulnerable to attacks from foreign powers.
Secondly, the process of requesting troops from the states was slow and inefficient. It required coordination and cooperation from all the states, which could be difficult to achieve, especially during times of crisis. This delayed response time could be detrimental in emergency situations where a quick response was needed.
Furthermore, this system also allowed individual states to wield significant power and influence over the national government. By controlling the availability of troops, states could potentially use their leverage to extract concessions or advance their own interests, leading to a lack of unity and difficulties in decision-making at the national level.
To address these concerns, the Constitution granted the federal government the power to raise and maintain its own standing army. This ensured that there would be a reliable and readily available military force to defend the nation. By transferring this power from the states to the federal government, the Constitution aimed to strengthen national defense and provide a more efficient response to threats.
Additionally, the Constitution established the concept of federal supremacy, which means that federal law and authority would prevail over state laws and authority. This shift in power dynamics ensured that the federal government could maintain control and make decisions for the entire nation, rather than being at the mercy of individual states. As a result, the Constitution aimed to create a more unified and cohesive national government, reducing the potential for individual states to exert excessive influence or hinder the functioning of the nation as a whole.
The problem created by the national government having to request states for troops under the Articles of Confederation was a lack of centralized authority and control. This made it difficult for the national government to respond effectively and efficiently to military threats or emergencies.
To address this concern, the Constitution established a more powerful central government with the authority to raise and maintain a standing army. Article I, Section 8 of the Constitution explicitly grants Congress the power to raise and support armies, as well as to provide and maintain a navy. This shift to a centralized authority allowed the federal government to have direct control over the military forces, enabling it to respond quickly and effectively to national security challenges.
Moreover, the Constitution also provided for the establishment of a permanent army, as opposed to the reliance on state militias under the Articles of Confederation. This ensured a more consistent and professional military force, capable of defending the nation's interests in a more unified manner.
By addressing the need for a strong and unified military, the Constitution addressed the problem of the national government having to rely on states for troops, ensuring the nation's defense capabilities were strengthened and centralized.
To understand how the Constitution addressed the concern of the national government having to request states for troops, we first need to examine the problem it created under the Articles of Confederation.
Under the Articles of Confederation, the central government had limited authority and control over the states. It did not have the power to levy taxes, regulate trade, or maintain a standing army. As a result, when the national government needed troops to address national issues or defend the nation, it had to rely on the states to provide them voluntarily. This system caused several problems for the nation:
1. Lack of Uniformity: States had different levels of willingness and ability to provide troops. Some states were more cooperative than others, leading to an unequal distribution of resources. This created an imbalance in the nation's defense capabilities.
2. Delayed Response: The process of requesting and coordinating troops from individual states was time-consuming. It often led to delays in mobilizing forces to address urgent national matters, such as quelling rebellions or responding to foreign threats. This could potentially jeopardize the safety and security of the nation.
3. Inefficiency and Coordination Issues: Without a centralized authority to organize and direct the troops, there was a lack of coordination and efficiency in military operations. This hindered the effectiveness of the national defense and response to emergencies.
To address these concerns, the Constitution introduced several provisions that aimed to provide a more effective system of national defense:
1. Standing Army: The Constitution granted the federal government the power to maintain a standing army. This gave the national government the ability to have a permanent military force to address national security concerns without relying solely on state cooperation.
2. Power to Raise and Support Armies: The Constitution allowed the federal government to raise and support armies through taxation. This ensured that the national government had the necessary resources to fund and maintain a military force without relying on voluntary contributions from individual states.
3. Commander-in-Chief: The Constitution vested the President of the United States with the role of the Commander-in-Chief of the armed forces. This centralized authority allowed for more efficient and effective decision-making in times of crisis or conflict.
By granting the federal government the power to maintain a standing army, raise funds for military purposes, and establishing a centralized authority for military command, the Constitution addressed the concern of the national government having to request states for troops. These changes provided a more unified and efficient system of national defense, improving the nation's ability to respond to military threats and emergencies.