Articles of confederation summary

articles of confederation summary

What is the summary of the Articles of Confederation?

Answer:

The Articles of Confederation were the first written constitution of the United States, which served as the framework for the new nation’s government from 1781 to 1789. Here is a summary of the key features and provisions of the Articles of Confederation:

  1. Weak Central Government: The Articles established a weak central government with most of the power vested in the individual states. There was no executive branch or national judiciary, and the central government had limited authority to levy taxes or regulate commerce.

  2. Unicameral Congress: The Congress, the central governing body, was a unicameral legislature, meaning it consisted of a single chamber. Each state had one vote, regardless of size or population.

  3. Limited Powers: The central government had limited powers, and major decisions required the approval of nine out of thirteen states. Key powers granted to Congress included the authority to declare war, conduct diplomacy, and manage relations with Native American tribes.

  4. No National Currency or Military: The central government lacked the power to regulate trade between states, coin money, or raise a standing army. It could request funds from the states, but had no means to compel compliance.

  5. Difficult Amendment Process: Amending the Articles required unanimous consent from all thirteen states, making it extremely difficult to make changes to the governing structure.

  6. State Sovereignty: The states retained significant powers and enjoyed a large degree of sovereignty. Each state had its own constitution, government, and legal system.

  7. Lack of Unity and Coordination: The weaknesses of the central government under the Articles of Confederation led to challenges in coordinating the states and resolving conflicts, particularly in areas such as trade and taxation.

The Articles of Confederation proved to be ineffective in providing a strong centralized government capable of addressing the needs of the nation. These weaknesses ultimately led to the drafting and adoption of the United States Constitution in 1787, which created a stronger federal government with a system of checks and balances.