Articles of Confederation:
The Articles of Confederation refer to the first written constitution of the United States, which was adopted by the Continental Congress in 1777 and ratified by all thirteen states in 1781. This document served as the governing framework for the newly formed United States during the American Revolution and the early years of its independence. The Articles established a loose confederation of sovereign states, granting limited powers to a central government. Under this system, the central government lacked the authority to levy taxes, regulate commerce, or enforce laws, resulting in a weak and ineffective national government. The Articles of Confederation were eventually replaced by the United States Constitution in 1789, as it became evident that a stronger central government was necessary to address the challenges facing the nation.
The Articles of Confederation were the first constitution of the United States, adopted in 1781 and replaced by the Constitution in 1789. The Articles established a weak central government with limited powers, as the framers were wary of creating a strong central authority that could potentially infringe on the rights of the states. Under the Articles, each state retained its sovereignty, independence, and freedom, while delegating certain powers to the central government, such as conducting foreign affairs and declaring war. However, the central government lacked the power to tax, regulate commerce, or enforce its laws, leading to significant challenges in governing the nation. The Articles also lacked a strong executive branch and a national judiciary, further hindering the effectiveness of the central government. These weaknesses ultimately led to the call for a new constitution, resulting in the drafting and ratification of the United States Constitution in 1787 and 1788, respectively.
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This glossary post was last updated: 29th March 2024.
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