Establishing a Central Authority

Oct 13, 2025 by wbrum.org 110 views

Introduction

The Articles of Confederation, adopted in 1781, served as the first constitution of the United States. This framework of government was designed to provide a loose alliance of states with a central authority, but it ultimately failed to meet the needs of the young nation. In this article, we will examine the successes and problems of the national government under the Articles of Confederation, highlighting the key challenges and limitations of this early form of government.

Successes of the National Government

Despite its limitations, the national government under the Articles of Confederation achieved several notable successes.

Establishing a Central Authority

The Articles of Confederation created a central authority, the Congress of the Confederation, which was responsible for making laws, declaring war, and negotiating treaties with foreign nations. This marked a significant departure from the colonial era, where each state had its own government and foreign policy.

Promoting National Unity

The Articles of Confederation helped to promote national unity by providing a framework for cooperation and coordination among the states. The Congress of the Confederation facilitated communication and cooperation among the states, which was essential for addressing common challenges and achieving national goals.

Encouraging Economic Growth

The national government under the Articles of Confederation encouraged economic growth by establishing a system of tariffs and trade agreements. The Tariff Act of 1789, for example, imposed a tax on imported goods, which helped to raise revenue for the government and protect American industries.

Providing for National Defense

The national government under the Articles of Confederation provided for national defense by establishing a system of military forces and fortifications. The Continental Army, led by George Washington, played a crucial role in the American Revolutionary War, and the national government continued to provide for national defense after the war.

Problems of the National Government

Despite its successes, the national government under the Articles of Confederation faced several significant problems.

Lack of Power

One of the primary problems of the national government under the Articles of Confederation was its lack of power. The Congress of the Confederation had no authority to enforce its laws, and the states were free to ignore or defy federal authority. This created a system of government where the central authority was weak and ineffective.

Inability to Regulate Commerce

The national government under the Articles of Confederation was unable to regulate commerce effectively. The Tariff Act of 1789, for example, was widely criticized for being too weak and ineffective, and the national government struggled to address the economic challenges facing the nation.

Inability to Collect Taxes

The national government under the Articles of Confederation was also unable to collect taxes effectively. The Congress of the Confederation relied on voluntary contributions from the states, which were often inadequate and unreliable.

Inability to Regulate Foreign Policy

The national government under the Articles of Confederation was unable to regulate foreign policy effectively. The Congress of the Confederation struggled to negotiate treaties and agreements with foreign nations, and the nation was often at the mercy of European powers.

Conclusion

The national government under the Articles of Confederation was a mixed legacy, marked by both successes and problems. While it established a central authority, promoted national unity, encouraged economic growth, and provided for national defense, it also faced significant challenges, including a lack of power, inability to regulate commerce, inability to collect taxes, and inability to regulate foreign policy. The failures of the Articles of Confederation ultimately led to the drafting of the United States Constitution, which established a stronger central government and paved the way for the growth and prosperity of the United States.

References

The Articles of Confederation. (1781). Retrieved from https://www.archives.gov/exhibits/charters/constitution_articles.html
The Tariff Act of 1789. (1789). Retrieved from https://www.congress.gov/bill/1st-congress/house-bill/1
The Continental Army. (1775-1783). Retrieved from https://www.history.com/topics/american-revolution/continental-army
The United States Constitution. (1787). Retrieved from https://www.archives.gov/exhibits/charters/constitution.html

Introduction

The Articles of Confederation, adopted in 1781, served as the first constitution of the United States. This framework of government was designed to provide a loose alliance of states with a central authority, but it ultimately failed to meet the needs of the young nation. In this article, we will answer some of the most frequently asked questions about the national government under the Articles of Confederation.

Q: What was the main purpose of the Articles of Confederation?

A: The main purpose of the Articles of Confederation was to create a loose alliance of states with a central authority, providing a framework for cooperation and coordination among the states.

Q: Who was responsible for making laws under the Articles of Confederation?

A: The Congress of the Confederation, composed of delegates from each state, was responsible for making laws under the Articles of Confederation.

Q: What were some of the key limitations of the national government under the Articles of Confederation?

A: Some of the key limitations of the national government under the Articles of Confederation included a lack of power, inability to regulate commerce, inability to collect taxes, and inability to regulate foreign policy.

Q: What was the significance of the Tariff Act of 1789?

A: The Tariff Act of 1789 was significant because it imposed a tax on imported goods, which helped to raise revenue for the government and protect American industries.

Q: What was the role of the Continental Army under the Articles of Confederation?

A: The Continental Army, led by George Washington, played a crucial role in the American Revolutionary War, and the national government continued to provide for national defense after the war.

Q: Why did the Articles of Confederation ultimately fail?

A: The Articles of Confederation ultimately failed because of its limitations, including a lack of power, inability to regulate commerce, inability to collect taxes, and inability to regulate foreign policy. These limitations made it difficult for the national government to effectively address the needs of the young nation.

Q: What was the impact of the Articles of Confederation on the development of the United States?

A: The Articles of Confederation had a significant impact on the development of the United States, as it provided a framework for cooperation and coordination among the states and helped to establish a central authority. However, its limitations ultimately led to the drafting of the United States Constitution, which established a stronger central government and paved the way for the growth and prosperity of the United States.

Q: What are some of the key differences between the Articles of Confederation and the United States Constitution?

A: Some of the key differences between the Articles of Confederation and the United States Constitution include the establishment of a stronger central government, the creation of a system of checks and balances, and the provision for the protection of individual rights and liberties.

Q: Why is the study of the Articles of Confederation important?

A: The study of the Articles of Confederation is important because it provides insight into the early development of the United States and the challenges faced by the young nation. It also highlights the importance of a strong central government and the need for effective governance.

Conclusion

The national government under the Articles of Confederation was a complex and multifaceted system that faced significant challenges and limitations. By understanding the successes and failures of this early form of government, we can gain a deeper appreciation for the importance of effective governance and the need for a strong central authority.

References

The Articles of Confederation. (1781). Retrieved from https://www.archives.gov/exhibits/charters/constitution_articles.html
The Tariff Act of 1789. (1789). Retrieved from https://www.congress.gov/bill/1st-congress/house-bill/1
The Continental Army. (1775-1783). Retrieved from https://www.history.com/topics/american-revolution/continental-army
The United States Constitution. (1787). Retrieved from https://www.archives.gov/exhibits/charters/constitution.html