Isabella Carter
The United States Constitution has undergone several fixes to address defects and ensure its relevance in a changing society. The original Articles of Confederation, America's first constitution, faced criticism for its lack of enforcement powers, inability to regulate commerce, and the independence of states in conducting foreign policies and managing their finances. Amendments were proposed to address these issues, and the Constitutional Convention of 1787 marked a shift away from the Articles. The new Constitution faced opposition from Anti-Federalists due to its strong central government and lack of a bill of rights, leading to a compromise that allowed for future amendments. Over time, scholars have identified additional fault lines, such as the difficulty of amending the Constitution, and have advocated for changes to ensure its adaptability to contemporary challenges.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| No enforcement powers | Congress lacked the power to enforce laws and policies |
| Inability to regulate commerce | Congress couldn't regulate trade between states and other countries |
| Lack of a common currency | Each state had its own money system |
| Weak central government | The central government had limited powers and lacked an executive official or judicial branch |
| Ineffective foreign policy | States conducted their own foreign policies and the central government couldn't enforce its authority |
| Taxation issues | Congress lacked the power to tax and states often didn't comply with requests for funds |
| Legislative representation | Debate over whether representation should be based on population or equal among states |
| Slavery | Delegates agreed to continue the slave trade until 1808 |
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What You'll Learn
The Articles of Confederation had no enforcement powers
The Articles of Confederation, America's first constitution, gave the Confederation Congress the power to make rules and request funds from the states. However, it had no enforcement powers, which created several problems.
Firstly, the lack of enforcement powers meant that the central government had little ability to regulate commerce or trade between the states. The individual states competed against each other economically, issuing their own currencies and even taxing each other's goods when they crossed state lines. This made trade between states extremely difficult and hindered the country's economic growth.
Secondly, the central government lacked the power to effectively address internal rebellions, such as Shays' Rebellion in 1787. Without the funds or military power to suppress such uprisings, the young nation was threatened with disintegration.
Thirdly, the Articles of Confederation did not provide the central government with the authority to control foreign policy, as this was left to the individual states. The central government lacked the domestic and international powers necessary to enforce its decisions, leading to disputes over territory and trade that further threatened to tear the country apart.
Finally, the lack of enforcement powers meant that the central government had no power to tax citizens or states. This created an economic crisis, as the government was unable to pay off Revolutionary War-era debts or fund essential functions, such as supporting the military and paying Congress.
In summary, the lack of enforcement powers in the Articles of Confederation led to economic instability, difficulty in regulating trade and commerce, and an inability to address internal rebellions and foreign policy matters effectively. These issues ultimately contributed to the creation of a new constitution that significantly increased the power of the federal government.
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States had their own money systems
The Articles of Confederation, America's first constitution, gave individual states the power to operate independently of the central government. This resulted in states having their own money systems, which made trade between states and with other countries extremely difficult.
The Articles of Confederation, which came into effect in 1781, created a loose confederation of sovereign states with a weak central government, leaving most of the power with state governments. This meant that the central government had no authority to regulate commerce or print money. As a result, each state had its own currency, which made trade complex and hindered economic growth.
The lack of a common currency in the Confederation era was a significant issue. The central government and the states used different currencies, which created barriers to trade within the country and with foreign nations. This was a contributing factor to the economic crisis the United States faced by 1787.
The Continental Congress had issued paper currency, known as "Continentals," during the American Revolution to finance the war. These notes were not backed by gold or silver but by anticipated tax revenues. They were easily counterfeited and quickly lost their value, leading to the common expression "not worth a Continental."
The problems caused by states having their own money systems, along with other issues such as the inability to settle Revolutionary War-era debts and regulate taxation, highlighted the need for a stronger central government and a unified monetary system. This eventually led to the creation of a new federal constitution, which strengthened the national government and addressed the economic challenges facing the young nation.
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Congress lacked the authority to regulate commerce
America's first constitution, the Articles of Confederation, gave the Confederation Congress the power to make rules and request funds from the states. However, it lacked enforcement powers, the ability to regulate commerce, and the power to print money. This meant that the states retained most of the power, and the central government was weak.
The Articles of Confederation created a loose confederation of sovereign states, with the colonies now being states that retained most of the power. The central government was not provided with essential powers such as the ability to control foreign policy or levy taxes. The Articles Congress had only one chamber, and each state had one vote, reinforcing the power of the states to act independently.
The lack of authority to regulate commerce was a significant issue, as it led to disputes between the states over territory, war pensions, taxation, and trade, threatening to tear the young country apart. The states competed against each other economically, issuing their own currencies and even taxing each other's goods, hindering trade and economic growth.
The inability to regulate commerce also impacted the country's economic stability. The central government and the states owed significant debts to European countries and investors, but without the power to tax or effectively regulate trade, the country faced economic turmoil by 1787.
The delegates at the Constitutional Convention of 1787, including James Madison, Alexander Hamilton, and George Washington, recognised the need to revise the Articles of Confederation and strengthen the federal government. They understood that promoting free trade and a unified economy would be crucial for the country's future success. The new Constitution granted Congress the power to control interstate commerce and prohibited states from creating their own currency, addressing the issues arising from the lack of authority to regulate commerce under the Articles of Confederation.
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The central government was designed to be very weak
The Articles of Confederation gave the Confederation Congress the power to make rules and request funds from the states, but it had no enforcement powers, couldn’t regulate commerce, or print money. It lacked domestic and international powers and standing, and it couldn't collect taxes to fund its operations, relying on voluntary efforts from the states. The central government couldn't maintain an effective military or back its own paper currency.
The states were able to conduct their own foreign policies, and they had their own money systems, making trade between states and other countries extremely difficult. The Confederation government also couldn’t help settle Revolutionary War-era debts, and it couldn't put down an internal rebellion, as seen in Shays' rebellion, which was the final straw.
The Anti-Federalists fought against the Constitution because it created a powerful central government that reminded them of the one they had just overthrown, and it lacked a bill of rights.
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The Articles Congress only had one chamber
The Articles of Confederation, America's first constitution, created a unicameral legislature, with each state having one vote. This structure reinforced the power of the states to act independently of the central government, even when it was not in the nation's best interests.
The Articles of Confederation established a weak central government, with sovereignty residing in the states. The central government was left without essential powers, such as the ability to control foreign policy, regulate commerce, enforce rules, or tax. It had no enforcement powers and could not print money.
The lack of an executive or judicial branch in the Articles Congress meant that there was no mechanism to address internal rebellions or enforce decisions made at the national level. The central government was unable to settle Revolutionary War-era debts, and the country was in an economic crisis by 1787.
The Articles Congress's inability to regulate commerce and the lack of a common currency made trade between states and with other countries extremely difficult. States levied taxes on each other's goods and issued their own currencies, leading to economic competition between the states.
The weaknesses of the Articles of Confederation became increasingly apparent, and it was clear that a stronger central government was needed. The delegates at the Constitutional Convention of 1787 created a bicameral legislature, with the House of Representatives and the Senate, ensuring that power would not be concentrated in a single branch.
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