The Articles of Confederation

THE ARTICLES OF CONFEDERATION. by Levi Anthony

Following the Declaration of Independence and the birth of the United States of America, one of the most important task facing the new nation was setting up a constitution - a set of laws to govern the 13 states. After much debate and discussion, the Articles of Confederation, the nation's first constitution, came into effect in March 1781.

From the outset, however, the Articles of Confederation was very weak and lacked the necessary powers needed to run the new country effectively. The government set up was made up of only one branch - Congress. The chart below shows the weakness of the Articles and its consequences on the new nation.

Weakness - Articles of Areas Consequences Confederation Did not provide for a President to run the Without a president, there was no Executive country one to enforce the laws Judiciary No court system was established No courts to settle disputes Congress had no money to run the Congress did not have the power to Taxes country; had to beg the states for impose and collect taxes. money Articles could not regulate trade among States set up their own rules, taxed Trade the states. each other. Each state, regardless of its population, The large states with larger Representation had only one vote in Congress. populations said this was unfair.

From the chart, you can see that the Articles of Confederation was indeed very weak; it did not establish institutions such as a presidency or a court system which are essential for governing a country. Most of the powers were retained by the states and the national government had little or no power. It was, therefore, bound to fail.

Why did the American leaders set up such a weak government?

For a simple reason. They had a terrible experience with the British King and his oppressive laws. The colonists had come to distrust a government that was too strong and too powerful. They associated tyranny with too much power. They were therefore, afraid of setting up a strong central government that might turn around and pass oppressive laws just as the British King had done. Similarly, they were afraid of having a president that one day might become another King George. For these reasons, the powers given to Congress under the Articles of Confederation was very limited. THE CONSTITUTIONAL CONVENTION. by Levi Anthony

From the beginning, there were all sorts of conflicts at the convention - conflicts between Northern and Southern states; between large and small states and between those who wanted a strong central government and those who didn't. Very early in the Convention, it became clear to many delegates that because of the weaknesses of the Articles, it would be better to abolish it and create a new constitution. (Review Articles)

The first major conflict at the convention was concerned with the structure of the new government. Two competing plans were put forward - the Virginia Plan, supported by the large states, and the New Jersey Plan, supported by the small states. The features of both plans are shown below.

VIRGINIA PLAN NEW JERSEY PLAN A bi-cameral legislature or a Congress made up a uni-cameral legislature or a Congress made up of two houses of only one house

Representation to both houses were to be based Representation should be based on equality; all on population. States with larger populations states, regardless of size, should have equal would have more representatives than small representation. states.

Government should have an Executive and Judicial branch. Government should have an Executive and Judicial branch. Congress should have the power to impose and collect taxes. Congress should have the power to impose and collect taxes.

THE GREAT COMPROMISE A Legislative branch (Congress) made up of two houses - the House of Representatives and the Senate - was set up.

The number of representatives each state will have in the House will be based on the population of each state.

Membership in the Senate is based on equality - each state, regardless of its size, will have two senators. Our Federal Government created by the Constitution

Source: http://congressforkids.net/games/powersfedgov/1_definitionlist.htm

Activity 1 Look at each statement below. What problems would our government have if our Constitution stated the following?

Constitution Problem

No president to run the country

No court system was established

Congress did not have the power to impose or collect taxes Each state, regardless of its population, had only one vote in Congress

Activity 2

1. Suppose you were a delegate from Virginia sent to attend the Constitutional Convention. Why would you be worried about the creation of a powerful central government?

2. Suppose you were a delegate from the state of Delaware. Why would you support the New Jersey Plan? Activity 3

Compare and Contrast the Articles of Confederation with the Constitution of the United States.

The Articles of Confederation Similarities The Constitution

Lesson Plan Comparing and Contrasting the Articles of Confederation and the Constitution 50 minutes Objective: Students will analyze the Articles of Confederation to determine why the Founding Fathers decided to create a new form of government under the Constitution of the United States.

Procedures:

1. Warm-up. Have students complete Activity 1. Students should share their responses with the class. 2. Pass out the reading titled the Articles of Confederation. Read together as a class. Have students compare their responses to those listed in the chart. 3. Tell the class that our Founding Fathers realized they had to make a new form of government at the Constitutional Convention. Have students read The Constitutional Convention. When they are done reading, have them answer the questions to activity 2 in their notebooks. Share responses with the class. 4. Have students draw the comparison chart for activity 3 in their notebooks. Students are to use the charts given and their textbooks, to compare and contrast the Articles of Confederation with the Constitution of the United States. 5. Wrap-up: Ask students to list 3 weaknesses of the Articles of Confederation. Exit Slip (you can collect if you choose).