Articles of Confederation
Definition
The Articles of Confederation served as America's first constitution from 1781 to 1789. They provided for a weak central government and strong state governments.
Analogy
Consider the Articles of Confederation like training wheels on a bike - they were necessary when America was learning how to govern itself independently but were eventually replaced when it became clear that stronger support (a more robust federal government) was needed.
Related terms
Federalism: A system where power is divided between national and state governments. The balance between these powers shifted significantly after moving away from the Articles of Confederation.
Shays' Rebellion: An uprising led by farmers in Massachusetts in 1786-87 due to economic distress. It exposed weaknesses in the Articles of Confederation which couldn't effectively respond to the crisis.
Constitutional Convention: The meeting in 1787 where delegates from twelve states rewrote the Articles of Confederation, resulting in the U.S. Constitution.
"Articles of Confederation" appears in:
Subjects (1)
Study guides (4)
Practice Questions (20+)
What was one of the major challenges resulting from the lack of control over commerce under the Articles of Confederation?
What did the central government lack under the Articles of Confederation in terms of enforcing laws and interpreting the Constitution?
What made it challenging for the central government to address emerging issues and adapt to changing circumstances under the Articles of Confederation?
How did the US Constitution address the challenge of economic instability and disputes between states faced under the Articles of Confederation?
What was one of the major challenges faced by the central government under the Articles of Confederation regarding taxation?
What was one of the key challenges faced by the central government under the Articles of Confederation regarding branches of government?
Which branch of government had the most authority under the Articles of Confederation?
What was the main purpose of the central government under the Articles of Confederation?
How did the lack of a centralized military under the Articles of Confederation impact the U.S during Shays' Rebellion?
How did lack of centralized military power affect United States under Articles Of confederation ?
Which aspect underlined a major weakness in terms of trade under the Articles Of Confederation?
Under the Articles Of Confederation, what was a major limitation regarding amendments?
What led to economic instability under the Articles Of Confederation?
Which historical event most directly challenged the weak central government structure outlined in the Articles of Confederation?
Which modern political challenge, directly related to the weaknesses of the Articles of Confederation, is most influenced by issues surrounding states' rights versus federal authority?
Which modern issue mirrors a major challenge from the Articles of Confederation regarding legislative representation?
Which political principle did both the Articles of Confederation and the U.S. Constitution reflect?
How does the power dynamic between individual states and federal government during the Articles of Confederation (1781-89) compare with that under the European Union today?
How did the Articles of Confederation influence the design of federalism within the US Constitution?
What key similarity do the Articles of Confederation and the Confederate States of America's Constitution share?
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