Analyze the cartoon.
1. What are some problems with the Articles of Confederation the cartoon points out?
2. Who is the cartoonist implying has no power under the Articles of
Confederation?
3. Use evidence from the cartoon and your knowledge of the Articles of
Confederation and explain what the cartoonist means by “rough sailing
ahead.”
Without the specific cartoon provided, it is impossible to analyze it. However, I can provide a general analysis regarding the Articles of Confederation:
1. Problems with the Articles of Confederation the cartoon might point out:
- Weak central government: The Articles of Confederation created a weak central government with limited powers, which led to difficulties in effectively governing the country.
- No executive branch: The lack of an executive branch made it challenging to enforce laws and ensure the execution of decisions.
- No power to tax: The central government had no authority to levy taxes, leading to financial instability and difficulties in maintaining the military and paying off war debts.
- Lack of unity among states: The Articles of Confederation allowed states to function mostly independently, which often led to conflicts and difficulties in making collective decisions and actions.
2. The cartoonist might imply that the central government has no power under the Articles of Confederation. This lack of power might be represented by a weak or unimpressive portrayal of the central government in the cartoon.
3. Without the specific cartoon, it is not possible to analyze the meaning behind "rough sailing ahead." However, in the context of the Articles of Confederation, it could imply challenges and difficulties in governing the nation effectively due to the weaknesses inherent in the system. It might suggest that without a stronger central government, the country could face uncertain and turbulent times.
To analyze the cartoon, let's answer the provided questions step-by-step:
1. What are some problems with the Articles of Confederation the cartoon points out?
The cartoon points out several problems with the Articles of Confederation. These include:
- Lack of central power: The cartoon depicts a ship labeled "Confederation" sailing aimlessly in rough waters. This symbolizes the lack of a strong central government, leading to a weak and ineffective system.
- Uncoordinated states: The sails of the ship are labeled with the names of individual states, indicating the fragmented nature of the government. This highlights the lack of unity and coordination among the states, as each had different interests and often acted independently.
- Inadequate funding: The cartoon shows a cracked barrel labeled "Treasury" leaking coins into the water. This signifies the financial difficulties faced by the Confederation government, as it lacked the power to levy taxes and depended heavily on voluntary contributions from the states.
- Inability to enforce laws: The cartoon portrays a cannon labeled "Laws" that is pointing backward towards the ship. This suggests that the Confederation lacked the authority to enforce laws and maintain order effectively.
2. Who is the cartoonist implying has no power under the Articles of Confederation?
The cartoonist is implying that the central government, represented by the ship labeled "Confederation," has no real power under the Articles of Confederation. The weak central government structure limited its ability to govern effectively.
3. Use evidence from the cartoon and your knowledge of the Articles of Confederation and explain what the cartoonist means by "rough sailing ahead."
The cartoonist means that there will be significant challenges and difficulties faced by the Confederation government under the Articles of Confederation. The portrayal of rough waters and a ship sailing aimlessly suggests that the lack of a strong central government will lead to instability and uncertainty. The image of rough sailing indicates that navigating and governing under this system will be challenging and could potentially result in disaster.