The Articles of Confederation

What went wrong?

What Went Wrong?

Lots of things were wrong with The Articles of Confederation. Most of them had to do with the lack of power at the national level. The states were afraid of a strong central government, like Great Britain's. Because of this the states became very disunited. This presentation discusses some of the main reasons The Articles failed.

No Chief Executive

The states didn’t want a president because it was too much like a king. They believed that no one person should have too much power.

No Chief Executive

This was a problem because lack of leadership from a central government weakened the country. It was clear that the United States needed a single leader.

Why was this a problem?

Laws needed approval by nine of the thirteen states.

They wanted to protect individual states’ power. They feared that a strong central government would make unfair laws and show favoritism. If the Law wasn’t supported by nine of more states it would be dismissed.

Laws needed approval by nine of the thirteen states.

It was very hard to get new laws passed. Every state had different values and beliefs concerning their people. Very rarely were laws passed or changed.

Why was this a problem?

Congress Couldn’t Tax

Congress didn’t have the power to tax. It could only request tax money from states, and often that request was denied. The states didn’t want the central government to over tax them like Great Britain did.

Congress Couldn’t Tax

Because Congress couldn’t tax they the government was very poor. It lacked the federal government funds to operate effectively. This made for a very weak central government.

Budget

ArmyRoadsSchoolsWell FareLaw enfor-cmentOther

Why was this a problem?

Congress Couldn’t Draft an Army

Congress did not have the power to draft an army. It could only request states to send men for military services. The states feared that a central government with a strong army might take away citizens’ rights.

Station troops along the coast.

What is he talking about?

Congress Couldn’t Draft an Army

Without an army or navy the United States found it difficult to fend off invading countries or Native Americans.

This task would be easier to complete with an army.

Why was this a problem?

No National Court System

The Articles stated that there would be no national court system. It was left up to each state to solve it’s own disputes. They feared a central government with a court system might be unfair

to the rights of states.

No National Court System

Each state had it’s own court system and when states fought head-to-head there was no set court system to settle the dispute.

According to the laws of Virginia, you are wrong.

Well, New Hampshire says YOU are wrong.

Why was this a problem?

All Thirteen States Had to Approve Any Amendments

All Amendments (changes) to the Articles had to be approved by ALL of the thirteen states. They wanted to make sure that every state had a strong say in the government.

All Thirteen States Had to Approve Any Amendments

Because ALL states had to agree on any changes, there rarely were any. It was nearly impossible to make changes to the Articles. Any one state could stop an amendment that all the other states wanted.

Why was this a problem?

Congress Couldn’t Collect State Debts

Congress wasn’t given the power to collect state debts owed to the federal government. The states feared a strong central government could force states to pay for things they didn’t want.

Congress Couldn’t Collect State Debts

Because Congress wasn’t given the power to collect state debts the country as a whole was in debt. The government cant operate effectively without any money.

Why was this a problem?

Congress Couldn’t Settle Disputes Among the States.

Congress had no say when it came to arguments between states. The states didn’t want one group to have too much power like Great Britain's Parliament.

Just say out of it! This is our fight not yours!

Congress Couldn’t Settle Disputes Among the States.

With out a neutral referee the disputes were often unsettled and couldn’t be resolved. This created a

great disunity among the states

Why was this a problem?

What Went Wrong?

As you can see, lots of things were wrong with The Articles of Confederation. This

constitution only lasted six years. It was obvious that a new constitution was needed,

and stronger central government as well.