Name two weakness of the Article of Confederation.For each weakness explain how that weakness led to the writtingof theUs Constitution
1) Lack of central authority and inability to enforce laws:
This weakness led to the writing of the US Constitution through a process of realizing the need for a stronger central government. The inability of the central government under the Articles of Confederation to enforce laws, regulate trade, or collect taxes effectively created a chaotic and disorganized system. It became apparent that a stronger governing document was necessary to provide a central authority that could oversee and enforce laws and regulations, which eventually led to the drafting of the US Constitution.
2) Inability to adequately address economic issues and regulate commerce:
The Articles of Confederation failed to provide a framework for the central government to manage economic problems such as national debt and trade imbalances. The lack of power to regulate commerce led to disputes between states regarding tariffs and caused economic instability. As a result, the need for a stronger central government that could effectively address and regulate economic issues became evident. This weakness of the Articles of Confederation influenced the drafting of the US Constitution, which granted the federal government more authority over economic matters and created a framework for national economic policies.
Weakness 1: Lack of Central Authority
Explanation: The Article of Confederation established a weak central authority with limited powers. The Congress created by the Articles was unable to effectively carry out its responsibilities as it lacked the power to enforce laws or regulate trade between states.
How it led to the writing of the US Constitution: The lack of central authority resulted in a situation where the federal government struggled to maintain control and unity among the states. This weakness became evident during the Shays' Rebellion in 1786-1787, where a group of farmers in Massachusetts revolted against high taxes and foreclosures. The rebellion exposed the weaknesses of the Articles and the inability of the federal government to respond swiftly. This event convinced many that a stronger central government was necessary to handle such uprisings and maintain order.
Weakness 2: Inability to Tax
Explanation: Under the Articles of Confederation, the federal government did not have the power to levy taxes. It could only request funds from the states, which often resulted in inadequate funding to carry out necessary functions.
How it led to the writing of the US Constitution: The inability to tax severely hampered the ability of the federal government to finance its operations, pay off debts, and provide for the common defense. The Continental Congress had accumulated significant war debts during the Revolutionary War, and with no power to tax, they couldn't generate enough revenue to pay off those debts. This financial instability highlighted the need for a central government with the authority to levy taxes.
To address these weaknesses and create a stronger central government, the Constitutional Convention was convened in 1787. The delegates drafted a new constitution, which became the foundation of the United States' modern governmental structure. The Constitution created a more powerful executive branch, a bicameral legislature with the power to tax and regulate trade, and a federal judiciary, among other changes. It aimed to establish a stronger central authority that could effectively govern the nation and address the shortcomings of the Articles of Confederation.
Two weaknesses of the Articles of Confederation were the lack of a strong central government and the inability to levy taxes. These weaknesses led to the writing of the US Constitution.
1. Lack of a strong central government: Under the Articles of Confederation, the central government was intentionally designed to be weak in order to prevent tyranny. However, this resulted in a lack of coordination and cohesion among the states. There was no executive branch to enforce laws or a national court system to interpret them. This weakened the ability of the central government to maintain order and resolve disputes effectively.
Consequently, this weakness led to the writing of the US Constitution. The framers recognized the need for a stronger central government that could effectively address national issues. The Constitution established three branches of government – the executive, legislative, and judicial branches – with checks and balances to prevent the abuse of power. These changes addressed the problems caused by the lack of a strong central government under the Articles of Confederation.
2. Inability to levy taxes: Another weakness of the Articles of Confederation was the inability of the central government to levy taxes. The central government did not possess the authority to impose taxes on individuals or states. Instead, it had to rely on voluntary contributions from the states, which often proved insufficient. This severely limited the federal government's ability to raise revenue necessary to fund its operations, address national debts, and provide for the common defense.
This weakness directly influenced the writing of the US Constitution. The Constitution granted the federal government the power to levy taxes, including both direct and indirect taxes. This change allowed the central government to generate its own revenue and eliminated the reliance on the states for funding. The creation of a taxation system provided for a more sustainable financial structure, allowing the federal government to function effectively and manage the country's financial affairs.
In summary, the weaknesses of the Articles of Confederation, namely the lack of a strong central government and the inability to levy taxes, demonstrated the need for a new governing document. These weaknesses led to the writing of the US Constitution, which established a stronger central government with the authority to enforce laws, establish a national court system, levy taxes, and address other shortcomings of the original Articles.