Definitions of Articles of Confederation. a written agreement ratified in 1781 by the thirteen original states; it provided a legal symbol of their union by giving the central government no coercive power over the states or their citizens.

The Articles of Confederation were created by the Second Continental Congress. What was the purpose of the Articles of Confederation? The purpose of the Articles of Confederation was to plan the structure of the new government and to create a confederation-some kind of government.

The Articles of Confederation introduced thirteen different articles that granted powers to the states and to the federal government. Each state retains its sovereignty, freedom, and independence, and every power, jurisdiction, and right, which is not by this Confederation expressly delegated.

The Articles created a loose confederation of sovereign states and a weak central government, leaving most of the power with the state governments. The need for a stronger Federal government soon became apparent and eventually led to the Constitutional Convention in 1787.

With the passage of time, weaknesses in the Articles of Confederation became apparent; Congress commanded little respect and no support from state governments anxious to maintain their power. Congress could not raise funds, regulate trade, or conduct foreign policy without the voluntary agreement of the states.

Six Weaknesses of the Articles of Confederation:

• No central leadership (executive branch)
• Congress had no power to enforce its laws.
• Congress had no power to tax.
• Congress had no power to regulate trade.
• No national court system (judicial branch)
• Changes to the Articles required unanimous.
• consent of 13 states.

Government successfully waged a war for independence against the British. Government negotiated an end to the American Revolution in the Treaty of Paris, signed in 1783. Government granted the free inhabitants of each state “all the privileges and immunities of free citizens in the several states.”

List of Pros of the Articles of Confederation

• They protected and strengthened the United States.
• They gave freedom to U.S. citizens.
• They organized the original thirteen states.
• They encouraged a weak central government.
• They didn’t promote a good taxation system.
• They paved the way to poor military program.

The Articles of Confederation gave the national government so little power that they could ask for money, but since it was an option for the states, they usually declined. This drove the country into debt. This helped the country realize that the Articles weren’t a good enough plan wih major problems.

The British took advantage of the articles of confederation. According to the Treaty of Paris, the territories west of the original 13 colonies were the responsibility of the United States. Under the Articles of Confederation, absolute unity was required for the U.S. to control that land.

Terms in this set (9)

• It successfully waged the war for independence against Great Britain.
• It provided that each state recognize the laws of the other states.
• It passed the Northwest Ordinance of 1787.
• It negotiated the peace treaty, known as the Treaty of Paris, to end the American Revolution.

Specifically, the lack of a strong national government in the Articles of Confederation led to three broad limitations.

• Economic disorganization.
• Lack of central leadership.
• Legislative inefficiencies.

Under the Articles of Confederation the national government managed to achieve a variety of successes such as the creation of executive departments to administer finance, foreign relations, and military affairs but the most important achievement would be the Northwest Ordinance which guaranteed equal treatment for …

Under the Articles, the states, not Congress, had the power to tax. Congress could raise money only by asking the states for funds, borrowing from foreign governments, and selling western lands. In addition, Congress could not draft soldiers or regulate trade.

The two land ordinances were the greatest achievement of the Articles of Confederation. Daniel Shay starts a rebellion in 1786 in Mass to protest tax. Rebellion put down by militia because their was no standing army to send. Proved that National government was weak and needed to be strengthened.

Here are a few: First, during this period, the United States not only declared Independence but won a war against the greatest military power on the planet. Second, it negotiated a favorable peace treaty. Third, it instituted the Northwest Ordinance of 1787 which provided a system of disposing of land in the west.