Dbq Articles Of Confederation Ineffective

Between 1781 and 1789, the Articles of Confederation provided the United States with an ineffective government, Although there were flaws, strong steps were taken in the attempt to try and make the United States a better country. The Articles set up a government that gave individual states the power to make their own laws and enforce them. This was ineffective for the following reasons: 1) The Continental Congress controlled public affairs but there was nothing in the Articles that gave Congress the power to enforce laws or unify the states. 2) There was no solid system of money to ensure that taxes would be paid or protect commerce, both nationally and with foreign trade. 3) The country lacked unity and strength because there was no leadership. The Articles were ineffective because Congress only had the power to recommend actions to the states. It could not enforce its recommendations or laws. Each state had its own constitution, money system, and means to
enforce the law. Each state had a stronger commitment to the state laws and to the State's own self interests than to the Congress. The competition among states and the lack of rule decreased the sense of unity in the country. For example, when Congress recommended an impost, or duty, on imported goods, the State of Rhode Island voted to reject the idea because they felt it was unfair and was against the constitution their state (Document A). The Articles of Confederation failed to provide a solid money system to ensure that taxes would be paid or to protect commerce.
Congress had no way to collect taxes to pay off pre-war debts. This led to chaos and anarchy when soldiers that hadn't been paid marched on Philadelphia, and Congress had to flee to Princeton New Jersey (Document C). Each State had it's own money, but there was no national money system. Since the money had no value from state to state, the people began to use the barter system of trade. This reduced the amount of trade and importation of goods. There was very little economic progress and growth during this period, even though the population was increasing. (Document B). Self interest of the states and of individuals added to the cause of the problems. For example, John Jay tried to create a treaty with Great Britain that would have been bad for the merchants of the United States but it would have paid off the war debt. His loyalty was not to the people of his state. (Document
D). Instead of keeping the United States unified, the Articles were causing it to fall apart. There was no unity because there was no leadership and no court system. Each State attempted to cede land for it own state from other states. The boundaries were constantly changing. This had a negative effect on the loyalty of the people, and on the economics of each area (Document E). Without a national court system, laws that kept the nation secure could not be made or enforced. Since there was no president, there was no one to take a stand against the enemies of the United States. The government could have easily overthrown by foreign powers. For example, the British still held posts within the boundaries of the States and the Spanish had control of the lower half of the Mississippi river (Document F). Without leadership, Congress could not act to gain control of the use of the River. The best Congress could do was to try to negotiate a treaty with the Spanish, but this was not effective. There is doubt that there was significant pride and strength in the American citizens after defeating Great Britain for independence. The United States government went through "growing Pains" to try to sustain a strong independent, nation that had learned the importance of leadership and interdependence. The nation could not stand alone with individuals with their own agenda and interests. Americans had to see how much more efficient their government worked with as a whole unified country.