Develop an argument that explains why U.S Constitution proved superior to the Articles of Confederation, or why the Articles of Confederation was actually a better organizational document.
In your essay, you must do the following:
A. Develop and defend a thesis that responds to the prompt
B. Support you claim by citing evidence from the two documents (U.S Constitution and Articles of Confederation) as well as historical information from the period when the Articles of Confederation were in place and from the period when they were replaced with the U.S Constitution.
Thesis: Although the Articles of Confederation were an important step towards establishing a unified government in the newly formed United States, the U.S Constitution proved to be a far superior organizational document due to its ability to address the shortcomings of the Articles, ensure a stronger central government, and create a more functional and stable nation.
A. The Articles of Confederation were the first attempt at establishing a unified government in the United States, but they ultimately proved to be inadequate and necessitated the adoption of the U.S Constitution.
1. Inefficiencies and limitations of the Articles: The Articles of Confederation established a weak central government that lacked the power to effectively govern the nation. The document did not provide for a central executive or judiciary, leaving many important decisions in the hands of the individual states. This led to a lack of coordination and paralysis in decision-making, hampering the overall effectiveness of the government.
2. Evident flaws during the period of the Articles: Historical evidence from the period of the Articles of Confederation reveals the limitations and flaws of this organizational document. The inability of the central government to enforce its laws, regulate commerce, or raise revenue effectively hampered the nation's economic growth and stability. Additionally, disputes between states over land and trade led to conflicts and showed the necessity for a stronger central authority to mediate and solve these issues.
B. The U.S Constitution addressed the shortcomings of the Articles of Confederation and provided for a stronger central government, resulting in a more functional and stable nation.
1. Strengthening central government: The U.S Constitution created a framework for a stronger central government by granting powers to a central executive, creating a federal judiciary, and establishing a bicameral legislature with representatives from both the states and the people. This allowed for more efficient decision-making and better coordination between states.
2. Historical evidence of improved functionality: The period following the adoption of the U.S Constitution saw a significant improvement in the functionality and stability of the nation. The government was able to effectively address economic issues through the establishment of a national bank and the ability to regulate interstate commerce. The Whiskey Rebellion in 1791, for example, demonstrated the federal government's ability to enforce its laws and maintain order.
3. Balancing state and federal power: The U.S Constitution struck a balance between state sovereignty and federal authority, addressing one of the major concerns that had led to the adoption of the Articles of Confederation. The Constitution ensured that the central government had sufficient power to govern effectively, while also preserving some autonomy for the states, as seen in the establishment of a bicameral legislature with representation from both.
In conclusion, the U.S Constitution proved to be superior to the Articles of Confederation due to its ability to address the flaws and limitations of the Articles, provide for a stronger central government, and create a more functional and stable nation. The historical evidence from the time when the Articles were in place and their subsequent replacement with the U.S Constitution clearly demonstrates the inadequacy of the former and the effectiveness of the latter in establishing a unified and prosperous United States.