The Articles of Confederation (Post 1)

As we discussed in class, the Articles of Confederation and the United States Constitution act as ways by which the “rules” of American government are defined. This unit explores the controversies, issues, and themes which the American government was founded upon and the people who set it into place.

Document One: The Articles of Confederation

The Articles of Confederation were created to establish the American government. Drafted and passed by the Second Continental Congress in 1777, they acted as a basis for a de-facto, or default government until put into law at the end of the Revolutionary War in 1781. After 1781, they became de-jure, or went into effect by law with the American victory in the Revolutionary War.

The nature of the articles required a limited central government. This government unified states into a confederation, or a collection of states united under a single purpose (hence “United States”). Major factors included the ability to declare war, print and regulate money, engage in diplomatic agreements, and administer Western lands. However, this early attempt at Constitutional government was not perfect, as the national government was given only limited rights and abilities. With no executive power granted to carry out laws, Congress could not enforce the legislation it passed. We see these issues coming to prominence in Shays’ Rebellion, an open revolt in West Springfield, Massachusetts. Because the government’s own problems created the event and the army could not effectively react to the event, American politicians would soon find the need to meet in Philadelphia in 1787 for a Constitutional Convention.

Unit Vocabulary:

Articles of Confederation
Constitution
Confederation
Shays’ Rebellion