What are 2 weaknesses of the articles of confederation that caused the need for a new and stronger federal government that the framers outlined in the constitution
1) Weak central government: The Articles of Confederation created a weak central government with limited powers. The national government had no power to tax, regulate commerce, or enforce laws. This led to various problems, such as the inability to fund the government or raise an army to defend the nation. The lack of a strong central authority hindered the effective functioning of the government and made it difficult to address national issues.
2) Inadequate structure for decision-making: The Articles of Confederation required unanimous agreement among the states to make amendments or pass laws. This meant that any proposed changes or important decisions required the consensus of all 13 states, which was difficult to achieve. This made it challenging for the government to address urgent matters or enforce laws uniformly. The structure of decision-making in the Articles of Confederation was slow and cumbersome, leading to inefficiency and ineffective governance.
The weaknesses of the Articles of Confederation that led to the need for a stronger federal government outlined in the Constitution are as follows:
1. Weak Central Government: Under the Articles of Confederation, the central government was incredibly weak and lacked necessary powers. It could not levy taxes, regulate commerce, or enforce its laws. This made it difficult for the government to maintain stability and respond effectively to national issues.
2. Inadequate National Defense: The Articles did not provide for a strong national defense mechanism. The federal government had limited control over the military, which made it challenging to protect the country from external threats. Additionally, each state had its own militia, and coordination among them was often insufficient.
These weaknesses demonstrated that the Articles of Confederation did not provide the necessary framework for the effective functioning of a national government. As a result, the framers recognized the need for a new and stronger federal government, leading to the creation of the Constitution.
Two weaknesses of the Articles of Confederation that led to the need for a stronger federal government outlined in the Constitution are:
1. Lack of Centralized Power: Under the Articles of Confederation, the federal government had limited authority and lacked the power to enforce its decisions or laws. It did not have the power to levy taxes or regulate trade, leading to financial instability and disputes between states. To understand this weakness, you can look at historical documents and records from that time. Read about the debates and discussions that took place during the drafting of the Articles of Confederation to understand why they were deliberately designed with limited powers for the central government.
2. Inefficiency and Ineffectiveness: The Articles of Confederation created a system where decisions required the approval of nine out of the thirteen states, making it difficult to pass new laws or enact essential reforms. This led to a lack of coordination and delayed decision-making, hindering the effective functioning of the government. To get a better understanding of this weakness, you can analyze the specific instances where the government struggled to act or faced challenges due to this requirement for a supermajority approval.
To grasp the reasons behind the weaknesses, it is recommended to study primary sources, such as historical documents like the Articles of Confederation themselves, notes from Constitutional Convention debates, and the Federalist Papers, which provide insights into the concerns and debates of that period. Additionally, reading secondary sources like history textbooks or scholarly articles can provide further analysis and explanation of these weaknesses and their impact on the development of the Constitution.