The Articles of Confederation, adopted in 1781, created a weak central government that struggled to address the new nation's challenges. This system left states with significant autonomy but lacked the authority to enforce laws, regulate trade, or collect taxes effectively.

The shortcomings of the Articles became increasingly apparent as economic issues and social unrest grew. Events like Shays' Rebellion highlighted the need for a stronger central government, ultimately leading to the Constitutional Convention and the creation of a new system of governance.

Lack of central authority

• The Articles of Confederation established a loose alliance of states rather than a strong central government, which led to significant challenges in governing the new nation
• The weak central authority created by the Articles made it difficult to coordinate and implement national policies, leading to inefficiencies and inconsistencies across the states

Confederation vs federation

• A confederation is a loose alliance of independent states, while a federation is a union of states with a strong central government
• Under the Articles of Confederation, the United States functioned more as a confederation, with each state retaining a high degree of sovereignty and the central government having limited power
• The lack of a strong federal government made it challenging to address national issues and coordinate efforts among the states

Sovereignty of states

• The Articles of Confederation emphasized the sovereignty of individual states, granting them significant power and autonomy
• States maintained their own currencies, tax systems, and militias, which often led to conflicting policies and hindered national unity
• The central government had little authority to intervene in state affairs or enforce national laws, resulting in a fragmented and ineffective system of governance

Inability to enforce laws

• The central government under the Articles of Confederation lacked the power to enforce its laws and decisions effectively
• States could choose to ignore or defy national laws without fear of significant consequences, undermining the authority of the central government
• This lack of enforcement power made it difficult to maintain order, collect taxes, and ensure compliance with national policies

Economic challenges

• The Articles of Confederation created a weak economic system that hindered the growth and stability of the new nation
• The lack of a unified economic policy and the absence of a strong central authority to regulate commerce led to numerous challenges and disparities among the states

No power to tax

• The central government under the Articles of Confederation did not have the power to levy taxes directly on citizens or states
• Instead, it relied on voluntary contributions from the states to fund its operations, which were often insufficient and inconsistent
• Without a reliable source of revenue, the central government struggled to pay its debts, support the military, and invest in infrastructure and development

Lack of common currency

• Under the Articles of Confederation, each state had the authority to issue its own currency, leading to a proliferation of different currencies with varying values
• The absence of a standardized national currency made interstate trade and commerce difficult, as merchants had to navigate multiple exchange rates and currencies
• This lack of a common currency also contributed to economic instability and hindered the growth of a unified national economy

Interstate trade barriers

• The Articles of Confederation allowed states to impose tariffs and other trade barriers on goods from other states
• These trade barriers created a fragmented market, with states often prioritizing their own interests over those of the nation as a whole
• The presence of interstate trade barriers discouraged the free flow of goods and services, limiting economic growth and efficiency

Ineffective government

• The structure and decision-making processes established by the Articles of Confederation resulted in an ineffective and cumbersome government
• The weaknesses in the governmental system made it difficult to address pressing national issues and respond to crises in a timely and effective manner

Unanimous consent for amendments

• Under the Articles of Confederation, any amendments to the document required the unanimous consent of all thirteen states
• This high threshold for amending the Articles made it nearly impossible to make necessary changes and adapt to evolving circumstances
• The requirement for unanimous consent hindered the government's ability to address shortcomings and improve its functioning

One state, one vote

• In the Confederation Congress, each state had a single vote, regardless of its population or size
• This equal representation of states in the decision-making process often led to deadlocks and hindered the ability to make timely and effective decisions
• Smaller states had disproportionate influence, while larger states felt underrepresented, leading to political tensions and inefficiencies

Weak executive branch

• The Articles of Confederation did not provide for a strong executive branch, with no single leader or president to guide the nation
• Executive power was vested in committees and the Confederation Congress, which led to a lack of clear leadership and direction
• The absence of a unified executive made it challenging to implement policies, conduct foreign affairs, and respond to emergencies effectively

Foreign policy issues

• The weaknesses of the Articles of Confederation had significant implications for the United States' ability to conduct foreign policy and defend its interests abroad
• The lack of a strong central government and the limitations on its powers hindered the nation's capacity to engage effectively with other countries and protect its sovereignty

Inability to regulate trade

• Under the Articles of Confederation, the central government lacked the authority to regulate foreign trade and impose tariffs on imported goods
• This inability to control trade policy left the United States vulnerable to economic exploitation by other nations and hindered its ability to protect domestic industries
• States often pursued their own trade policies, leading to inconsistencies and weakening the nation's bargaining power in international trade negotiations

Lack of national army

• The Articles of Confederation did not provide for a standing national army, relying instead on state militias for defense
• The absence of a unified military force made it difficult for the United States to defend its borders and interests effectively
• The reliance on state militias also led to inconsistencies in training, equipment, and loyalty, compromising the nation's ability to respond to military threats

Difficulty in negotiating treaties

• The central government's lack of authority and the requirement for unanimous state consent made it challenging to negotiate and ratify treaties with foreign nations
• The United States struggled to present a united front in diplomatic negotiations, as individual states could undermine or reject treaties
• This weakness in treaty-making power hindered the nation's ability to establish favorable trade agreements, secure alliances, and protect its interests on the global stage

Shays' Rebellion

• Shays' Rebellion was a series of armed uprisings in Massachusetts in 1786-1787, led by former Revolutionary War veteran Daniel Shays
• The rebellion highlighted the weaknesses of the Articles of Confederation and the central government's inability to effectively address economic and social issues

Farmers' debt and taxes

• Many farmers in Massachusetts faced significant debt and high taxes in the aftermath of the Revolutionary War
• The economic hardships, combined with a scarcity of currency and the government's insistence on collecting taxes in hard money, led to widespread discontent among farmers
• The mounting debt and the fear of losing their land through foreclosure fueled the farmers' anger and desperation

Closure of courts

• In response to the economic crisis and the government's attempts to collect taxes and enforce debts, rebels led by Daniel Shays began to forcibly close down courthouses
• The closure of courts prevented the legal process of debt collection and property seizures, providing temporary relief for indebted farmers
• This direct challenge to the authority of the government and the rule of law demonstrated the growing unrest and the weaknesses of the existing system

Government's response

• The government of Massachusetts struggled to effectively respond to Shays' Rebellion due to the limitations of the Articles of Confederation
• The central government lacked the power to intervene directly, and the state government had limited resources to quell the uprising
• The rebellion was eventually put down by a privately-funded militia, but the event exposed the inadequacies of the current system and the need for a stronger central government

Call for stronger government

• The weaknesses of the Articles of Confederation, as exemplified by events such as Shays' Rebellion, led to a growing call for a stronger central government
• Many political leaders and thinkers recognized the need for a more robust and effective system of governance to address the challenges facing the young nation

Annapolis Convention

• The Annapolis Convention was a meeting held in 1786 to discuss the regulation of trade among the states
• Although the convention failed to achieve its primary goal due to low attendance, it issued a call for a broader convention to revise the Articles of Confederation
• This call for a new convention set the stage for the Constitutional Convention and the eventual drafting of the United States Constitution

Constitutional Convention

• The Constitutional Convention, held in Philadelphia in 1787, brought together delegates from twelve states to revise the Articles of Confederation
• The delegates, recognizing the need for a stronger central government, ultimately decided to draft a new Constitution that would establish a federal system with a more powerful national government
• The Constitution addressed many of the weaknesses of the Articles of Confederation, including the creation of a stronger executive branch, the power to tax, and the authority to regulate trade

Federalist vs Anti-Federalist debate

• The ratification of the Constitution sparked a heated debate between the Federalists, who supported the new document, and the Anti-Federalists, who opposed it
• Federalists argued that a stronger central government was necessary to ensure the stability, security, and prosperity of the nation
• Anti-Federalists feared that a powerful central government would threaten individual liberties and state sovereignty
• The Federalist Papers, written by Alexander Hamilton, James Madison, and John Jay, provided a detailed defense of the Constitution and helped sway public opinion in favor of ratification