The Articles of Confederation: Strengths, Weaknesses, and Historical Impact

Group 1

• The federal government could not levy taxes directly on citizens.
• The federal government had a powerful executive branch.
• The Articles allowed for a standing national army at all times.
• The Articles gave Congress the power to regulate interstate commerce.

• Shays' Rebellion
• The Boston Tea Party
• The Whiskey Rebellion
• The signing of the Treaty of Paris

• It successfully managed the settlement of western lands through the Northwest Ordinance.
• It created a strong national judiciary.
• It allowed the President to veto state laws.
• It established a national currency used by all states.

• One vote per state, regardless of population
• Votes were based on state population
• Each state had two votes
• Votes were determined by the size of the state's militia

• All thirteen states had to agree to any amendment.
• A simple majority in Congress was sufficient.
• Approval by the President and Congress was required.
• A two-thirds vote of the states was needed.

• To create a loose union of sovereign states with a weak central government
• To establish a monarchy in America
• To give Congress unlimited power over the states
• To abolish state governments

• It forced states to abolish slavery to raise revenue
• It left the national government unable to pay debts or fund its army
• It required Congress to borrow money directly from foreign countries
• It allowed states to regulate trade without restrictions

• Established a clear process for admitting new states
• Allowed Congress to regulate interstate trade
• Created the office of the president
• Removed the requirement of unanimous consent to amend the Articles

• Send in federal troops to force compliance
• Appeal to the Supreme Court
• Ask the president to veto the state’s decision
• Nothing — Congress had no enforcement power

• It allowed the president to veto laws passed by Congress
• It made passing laws extremely difficult and led to gridlock
• It meant states had no voice in government decisions
• It gave Congress too much centralized power

• Fear of repeating the abuses of a strong British monarchy
• Belief that democracy worked best under one ruler
• Desire to create a strong executive branch from the start
• Pressure from foreign nations to limit American power

• The economy flourished due to free markets
• Congress was able to enforce stronger national tax laws
• Farmers could easily sell goods across state lines
• States imposed tariffs on one another, hurting national unity

• States often ignored Congress’s laws, and there was no way to resolve disputes
• It prevented Congress from raising money through fines
• It required the Supreme Court to act as a legislature
• It forced states to rely on Britain for legal advice

• State governments should be abolished
• A stronger Constitution was necessary to create an effective national government
• The United States should return to monarchy
• Democracy was impossible to maintain