Structure of Government Under the Articles of Confederation: Shaping the Foundation of the United States

Delving into the Structure of Government Under the Articles of Confederation, we embark on a historical journey that shaped the very foundation of the United States. This framework, adopted in 1781, established a loose confederation of states, laying the groundwork for the nation’s future governance.

The Articles of Confederation defined the division of powers between the federal government and the individual states, established the Continental Congress as the central governing body, and Artikeld the limited powers granted to the federal government. While it served as a crucial step in the development of American governance, the Articles of Confederation also revealed inherent weaknesses that would ultimately lead to its replacement by the Constitution.

Structure of the Articles of Confederation

The Articles of Confederation established a loose alliance of sovereign states, with the federal government having limited powers. The states retained most of their authority, and the federal government was primarily responsible for foreign affairs, war, and managing the western territories.

Division of Powers

Under the Articles of Confederation, the federal government had the following powers:

• Declare war and make peace
• Raise armies and navies
• Conduct foreign relations
• Borrow money
• Establish a postal service
• Coin money

The states retained all other powers, including the power to tax, regulate commerce, and establish courts.

Role of the Continental Congress

The Continental Congress was the sole governing body of the federal government under the Articles of Confederation. It was a unicameral legislature composed of delegates from each state. Each state had one vote in the Congress, regardless of its size or population.

The Continental Congress had limited powers, and it often struggled to pass legislation. It could not tax the states, regulate commerce, or enforce its laws. As a result, the federal government was weak and ineffective.

The Articles of Confederation established a loose alliance of states with a weak central government. In contrast, our skeletal system provides a strong framework for our bodies, supporting and protecting our organs. The skeletal system is made up of bones, cartilage, and ligaments that work together to allow movement, protect our internal organs, and produce blood cells.

Just as the Articles of Confederation created a structure for the young United States, our skeletal system provides the foundation for our physical well-being.

Weaknesses of the Articles of Confederation

The Articles of Confederation established a very weak central government. This led to a number of problems, including the inability of the federal government to raise revenue, the lack of a national judiciary and executive branch, and the inability to regulate interstate commerce.

Inability of the Federal Government to Raise Revenue

The Articles of Confederation did not give the federal government the power to tax. This meant that the government had to rely on voluntary contributions from the states. However, the states were often reluctant to contribute, and the federal government was frequently short of funds.

Lack of a National Judiciary and Executive Branch, Structure Of Government Under The Articles Of Confederation

The Articles of Confederation did not create a national judiciary or executive branch. This meant that the federal government could not enforce its laws or resolve disputes between states.

Examples of Problems Caused by the Weaknesses of the Articles of Confederation

• The federal government was unable to pay its debts, which led to a loss of confidence in the government.
• The lack of a national judiciary meant that there was no way to resolve disputes between states, which led to conflict and violence.
• The inability to regulate interstate commerce led to a number of problems, including the spread of counterfeit money and the unfair competition between states.

The Constitutional Convention and the Creation of the Constitution: Structure Of Government Under The Articles Of Confederation

The Articles of Confederation proved to be inadequate for governing the new nation. The central government was too weak, and the states were too independent. As a result, a Constitutional Convention was called in 1787 to revise the Articles of Confederation.The

Constitutional Convention was attended by 55 delegates from 12 states. The delegates were some of the most prominent figures in American history, including George Washington, James Madison, and Benjamin Franklin. The convention was held in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, from May to September 1787.The

delegates to the Constitutional Convention debated a wide range of issues, including the structure of the new government, the powers of the federal government, and the rights of the states. One of the most important debates was over the issue of representation in the new government.

The Virginia Plan, proposed by James Madison, called for a bicameral legislature with representation based on population. The New Jersey Plan, proposed by William Paterson, called for a unicameral legislature with equal representation for each state. The Connecticut Compromise, proposed by Roger Sherman, resolved the issue by creating a bicameral legislature with the Senate representing the states equally and the House of Representatives representing the population.Another

important debate was over the issue of slavery. The Southern states wanted to protect the institution of slavery, while the Northern states wanted to abolish it. The issue was resolved by the Three-Fifths Compromise, which counted each slave as three-fifths of a person for the purposes of representation and taxation.The

Constitution was finally adopted by the Constitutional Convention on September 17, 1787. The Constitution was then ratified by the states, and it went into effect on March 4, 1789.

Ratification Process of the Constitution

The ratification process of the Constitution was a contentious one. The Federalists, who supported the Constitution, argued that it would create a strong and stable government that would protect the rights of the people. The Anti-Federalists, who opposed the Constitution, argued that it would create a powerful central government that would threaten the rights of the states.The

Federalists ultimately prevailed, and the Constitution was ratified by all 13 states. The ratification process was a significant achievement, and it demonstrated the strength of the American commitment to self-government.

Structure of the United States Government Under the Constitution

The United States Constitution established a federal government with three separate branches: legislative, executive, and judicial. This separation of powers is designed to prevent any one branch from becoming too powerful and to ensure that the government is responsive to the will of the people.

Division of Powers

The legislative branch is responsible for making laws. It is composed of the House of Representatives and the Senate. The House of Representatives is elected by the people, while the Senate is elected by the state legislatures. The legislative branch also has the power to impeach the president and other high-ranking officials.

The executive branch is responsible for enforcing laws. It is composed of the president, vice president, and the cabinet. The president is elected by the people and serves as the commander-in-chief of the armed forces. The executive branch also has the power to veto laws passed by the legislative branch.

The judicial branch is responsible for interpreting laws. It is composed of the Supreme Court and the lower federal courts. The Supreme Court is the highest court in the land and its decisions are binding on all other courts. The judicial branch also has the power to declare laws unconstitutional.

Role of the Supreme Court

The Supreme Court plays a vital role in the American government. It is the final arbiter of the Constitution and its decisions have a profound impact on American society. The Supreme Court has ruled on a wide range of issues, including the right to free speech, the right to bear arms, and the right to privacy.

The Supreme Court’s decisions have helped to shape the American legal system and have had a major impact on American history.

Changes Over Time

The structure of the United States government under the Constitution has changed over time. The most significant change was the addition of the Bill of Rights in 1791. The Bill of Rights guarantees certain individual freedoms, such as the right to freedom of speech, religion, and assembly.

The Bill of Rights has been interpreted by the Supreme Court to apply to the states as well as the federal government.

Other changes to the Constitution have been made through amendments. Amendments to the Constitution can be proposed by Congress or by a national convention. Amendments must be ratified by three-fourths of the states before they become part of the Constitution.

The Constitution has been amended 27 times since it was adopted in 1788. The most recent amendment was the 27th Amendment, which was ratified in 1992. The 27th Amendment prohibits Congress from giving itself a pay raise without first holding an election.

Ultimate Conclusion

The Structure of Government Under the Articles of Confederation, though imperfect, played a pivotal role in shaping the United States’ political landscape. Its strengths and weaknesses informed the development of the Constitution, which established a more robust and effective federal government.

The Articles of Confederation served as a valuable experiment in governance, paving the way for a stronger and more unified nation.