Articles of Confederation
Ap us History
October 1, 2013
The Articles of Confederation were appointed by the Second Continental Congress in 1777. Finally after all of the thirteen states ratified the passing of the Articles, Maryland to be the last, they went into effet in 1783. Disputes between the states over land was the cause of this delayed approval. A weak and ineffective central government was created by this new constitution due to the people fearing a strong government. The states also wanted to protect their powers and prevent the inevitable abuse of power. The constitution we live under today was shaped by the imperfect Articles of Confederation. In 1783 the Treaty of Paris ended the Revolutionary War and it let the newly formed United States of America expand their borders to the Mississippi River. Right after the war ended the Articles went into effect. The articles held the country together until the Constitution was created. they also were a big part in the negotiation for peace with Great Britain. Under them the land ordianance act in 1785, and the northwest ordinance act in 1787 which set the pattern for new states to join. Slavery was also prohibited in the northwest territories. Downsides to the articles were numerous and many. Each of the states could create their own foriegn policies, which led to the British setting up forts on North America. The continental dollar was becoming worthless due to poor economics and each state being able to create there own money. With no major unity between the states, state-to-state affairs degraded. Each state could set there own tariffs and navigation laws, as well as no National Army or power to regulate commerce. also, if any of the laws were to be changed or any new laws to be added, all 13 states had to ratify the change, which was nearly impossible. Then with Shays Rebellion, the citizens started to realize they needed to change and get a stronger central government to help regulate the new country. The
October 1, 2013
The Articles of Confederation were appointed by the Second Continental Congress in 1777. Finally after all of the thirteen states ratified the passing of the Articles, Maryland to be the last, they went into effet in 1783. Disputes between the states over land was the cause of this delayed approval. A weak and ineffective central government was created by this new constitution due to the people fearing a strong government. The states also wanted to protect their powers and prevent the inevitable abuse of power. The constitution we live under today was shaped by the imperfect Articles of Confederation. In 1783 the Treaty of Paris ended the Revolutionary War and it let the newly formed United States of America expand their borders to the Mississippi River. Right after the war ended the Articles went into effect. The articles held the country together until the Constitution was created. they also were a big part in the negotiation for peace with Great Britain. Under them the land ordianance act in 1785, and the northwest ordinance act in 1787 which set the pattern for new states to join. Slavery was also prohibited in the northwest territories. Downsides to the articles were numerous and many. Each of the states could create their own foriegn policies, which led to the British setting up forts on North America. The continental dollar was becoming worthless due to poor economics and each state being able to create there own money. With no major unity between the states, state-to-state affairs degraded. Each state could set there own tariffs and navigation laws, as well as no National Army or power to regulate commerce. also, if any of the laws were to be changed or any new laws to be added, all 13 states had to ratify the change, which was nearly impossible. Then with Shays Rebellion, the citizens started to realize they needed to change and get a stronger central government to help regulate the new country. The