Why Are The Articles Of Confederation Important To Congress

Words: 525

Pages: 3

Open Document

Following the Revolutionary war, Americans found that the challenge of building a nation was more formidable than winning the war against Great Britain (180). The 1st and 2nd Continental Congresses were called in an emergency attempt to develop action plans and laws for the colonies. The origins of our Constitution can be traced back to what became our first National Constitution, the Articles of Confederation. These articles were approved by Congress in 1777 and went into effect in March of 1781 following Maryland’s ratification.
The Articles of Confederation established “a firm league of friendship” among the states in the hope that the states would come together for their common defense (McClenaghan). Under these Articles, Congress was the sole body of government, unicameral, with each state having one vote in Congress. The most important powers given to Congress were the ability to make war and peace, set up a monetary system and settle disputes among the States.
The weaknesses of the Articles of Confederation were significant. Congress lacked the ability to tax; it could not …show more content…
The meeting was successful and set the precedent for meetings between the states to discuss areas of mutual concern specifically a federal plan to regulate commerce (McClenaghan). Movements to overhaul the Articles of Confederation were further developed by James Madison in 1786 when delegates from five states met in Annapolis, Maryland (207). The delegates at the Annapolis meeting asked Congress to develop more provisions for the Articles that were necessary for the Union to survive (207). Even though the turn out for the meeting was small, it provided an opportunity for the delegates to petition Congress to approve a second meeting in Philadelphia in May of

Continental Congress Essay

The Constitution was written by the 55 delegates that made up the Continental Congress. These delegates traveled from their home states to all meet in Philadelphia to make slight amendments to the Articles of Confederation. However, the convention turned into a drafting of a brand new document that changed the future of the United States entirely. The Continental Congress was made up of American heroes such as Benjamin Franklin, James Madison, George Washington, and Alexander Hamilton. This epic…

Words 896 - Pages 4

Similarities Between The Articles Of Confederation And The Us Constitution

The Structures of Government between The Articles of Confederation and that of The U.S. Constitution has a great many of similarities and differences. The differences between these two documents are more significant than the similarities. That is why the people who wrote the Constitution felt that it was so important to have a new constitution rather than simply amending the old one. The Articles of Confederation (AOC) gave the national government very few powers, like the power to start a war…

Words 568 - Pages 3

Shays Rebellion

society and how they would be represented in their government. The revolt changed perspective upon how the government would intervene upon the economical, social , and justice disputes between the states and its citizens. In 1777 the Second Continental Congress was made up of a group of guys who represented their state and were instrumental on declaring independence. Although they may had the position did they quickly realized they didn’t have the power? The states got the point where the each state started…

Words 1758 - Pages 8

Articles Of Confederation Rhetorical Analysis

Immediately after the Revolutionary War, many delegates believed The Articles of Confederation failed because it left most of the power to the state governments and did not give Congress a sufficient amount of power. They needed a new-strong national government, but one that wouldn’t form a tyranny. In the late 1780’s, delegates met in Philadelphia to create something that would later win the popular vote: the United States Constitution. It wasn’t easy trying to get the Constitution to be ratified…

Words 1050 - Pages 5

Articles Of Confederation Dbq

1781 to 1789, the confederation period as one of the most important time periods in the construction of the United States of America. After their years of fighting against Brittan, the colonies, now turned states, needed to develop their new government. The result was the articles of confederation. A simple constitution, was ratified in 1781 by all states just after the end of the revolutionary war. But from their ratification in 1781 to their abandonment in 1789, the articles were completely insufficient…

Words 1095 - Pages 5

Essay on U.S. Contstituion Study Guide

US CONSTITUTION STUDY GUIDE 1. What amendment gave 18 year olds the right to vote? When was if ratified? Why? 2. In the original Constitution, how many times may the president be elected to office? How many times may the President be elected to office today? When did this change take place? Why? 3. What fraction of state legislatures must approve an amendment to the US Constitution? 4. Division of power between national governments and state governments is called what? 5. What…

Words 709 - Pages 3

Essay on Lesson 10 Notes

Chapter 10 WHAT WERE THE DISAGREEMENTS ABOUT REPRESENTATION? The Virginia Plan’s proposal to create a two-house Congress was not controversial. Continuing British and colonial practices, all the states except Pennsylvania and Georgia had instituted bicameral legislatures. There also was a widespread belief that a bicameral legislature would be less likely to violate people’s rights than a unicameral legislature. Each house could serve as a check on the other. What was controversial in the Virginia…

Words 1805 - Pages 8

Essay On The Articles Of Confederation Constitution

The Articles of Confederation were ratified on March 1, 1781, the articles are an agreement between the 13 original states of the United States of America and was “first written constitution of the United States”(History Articles of Confederation). The Articles of Confederation were the first governing document therefore the nation was weak and states operated like independent countries (History Articles of Confederation). Some major reasons of why the Constitution is needed is because it established…

Words 580 - Pages 3

The Second Constitutional Convention In 1787

“Each state retains its sovereignty, freedom, and independence, and every power, jurisdiction, and right, which is not by this Confederation expressly delegated to the United States, in Congress assembled.” - Article 2 of the Articles of Confederation. A little before 1787 people knew the Articles of Confederation was going to fail. Furthermore there is one main article that caused it. This. Had it not been for the calling of the second Constitutional Convention in 1787. America might have fallen…

Words 756 - Pages 4

The American Revolution Essay

After the American Revolution, America needed a new government. The Articles of Confederation became this government and was essentially the first constitution. Robert Henry Lee introduced these articles at the Second Continental Congress. Some people say these articles were effective on the nation, and in essence they were; they told our country exactly what they shouldn’t do. The articles were a stepping stone to the United States Constitution. They did not last long due to lack of problem solving…

Words 624 - Pages 3