What are two weaknesses of the articles of confederation that caused the need for a new and stronger federal government that the framers outlined in the constitution?
Two weaknesses of the Articles of Confederation that led to the need for a new and stronger federal government outlined in the Constitution are:
1. Weak Central Government: The Articles of Confederation established a weak central government with limited authority and a decentralized structure. Under the Articles, Congress had no power to enforce laws, collect taxes, or regulate commerce. This lack of a strong central authority resulted in an inefficient and ineffective governance system. The states had significant autonomy and often acted in their own self-interest, leading to conflicts, economic problems, and difficulties in maintaining national unity.
2. Inadequate Financial System: The Articles of Confederation did not provide the federal government with the power to impose taxes directly on individuals. It could only request funds from the states, which often contributed inconsistently or refused to comply. This limitation led to chronic financial problems, including the inability to pay off war debts and to adequately fund essential functions like defense, infrastructure, and public services. The weak financial system undermined the stability and functionality of the national government.
Two weaknesses of the Articles of Confederation that necessitated the creation of a new and stronger federal government as outlined in the Constitution are:
1. No power to tax or regulate trade: Under the Articles of Confederation, the federal government lacked the power to levy taxes on its citizens or regulate interstate and foreign trade. This resulted in a lack of revenue to fund the government's activities and a weak national economy. The inability to levy taxes made it challenging for the central government to raise funds for defense, infrastructure development, or to address economic problems such as debt. Additionally, without the power to regulate trade, states often imposed tariffs and engaged in trade disputes with one another, hindering economic growth and stability.
2. Lack of a strong central authority: The Articles of Confederation established a weak central government with a loose confederation of independent states. The central government had limited powers, and most authority resided with the individual states. This structure created challenges in decision-making and governance. The federal government lacked the power to enforce its laws, as it did not have a strong executive branch or a judiciary system. It also struggled to coordinate policies and address national issues effectively, leading to conflicts and inefficiencies. This lack of a strong central authority ultimately hampered the ability of the government to maintain stability and sufficiently deal with internal and external challenges facing the young nation.
Two weaknesses of the Articles of Confederation that led to the need for a new and stronger federal government outlined in the Constitution are:
1. Lack of Centralized Power:
- Under the Articles of Confederation, the federal government had limited power and authority. It lacked the power to tax, regulate trade, or enforce laws. Consequently, it heavily relied on the voluntary contributions of the states for funding and lacked the ability to raise a standing army or deal with financial issues effectively.
- To understand this weakness, you can read about the limitations of the federal government's power under the Articles of Confederation in historical documents or textbooks, such as "The Articles of Confederation" or "American Government: Historical, Popular, and Global Perspectives."
2. Ineffective Governance and Decision-Making:
- The governmental structure adopted under the Articles of Confederation gave each state equal representation within the Congress, resulting in a unicameral legislature where each state had only one vote, regardless of its size or population.
- This led to a slow decision-making process, as obtaining a majority vote on crucial matters became challenging due to conflicting interests among states. Consequently, it impeded the ability to pass important legislation or respond swiftly to domestic or foreign crises.
- To further understand this weakness, you can study historical accounts of conflicts and difficulties faced by the Congress under the Articles of Confederation, such as "The Constitutional Convention: A Narrative History from the Notes of James Madison" or "The Federalist Papers."
Overall, the weaknesses in the centralization of power and ineffective governance under the Articles of Confederation prompted the framers to outline a new and stronger federal government in the U.S. Constitution.