Discuss 3 weaknesses of the Articles of Confederation and how it led to a new Constitution.
1. Lack of Central Authority: One major weakness of the Articles of Confederation was the lack of a strong central authority. Under the Articles, the national government did not have the power to enforce laws or regulate commerce. This led to numerous problems such as disputes between states over trade and taxation, inability to address national issues effectively, and difficulties in making collective decisions. The lack of central authority created a sense of disunity and hindered the functioning of the government.
2. Inadequate Power to Tax and Regulate Commerce: The Articles of Confederation gave the national government very limited powers to tax and regulate commerce. The federal government had to rely on voluntary contributions from the states, which often fell short of meeting the national needs. Additionally, without the power to regulate commerce, each state imposed its own tariffs and regulations, leading to economic barriers and conflicts between states. The inability to effectively tax and regulate commerce led to economic turmoil and hindered the development of a unified national economy.
3. Difficulty in Amending the Articles: The process of amending the Articles of Confederation was extremely cumbersome. It required the unanimous consent of all thirteen states to make any changes to the document. This made it nearly impossible to address the inherent flaws and weaknesses of the Articles. Furthermore, the states often had conflicting interests and priorities, making it difficult to reach unanimous agreement on important matters. The inability to amend the Articles when necessary undermined the ability of the national government to adapt and respond to changing circumstances.
Overall, these weaknesses of the Articles of Confederation led to a growing dissatisfaction among the states and a recognition of the need for a stronger and more effective central government. Eventually, this dissatisfaction culminated in the Constitutional Convention of 1787, where delegates drafted a new Constitution that addressed the weaknesses of the Articles, established a stronger federal government, and provided a framework for a more unified and efficient system of governance.