The Articles Of Confederation were drafted under the Second Continental Congress, and stood for all thirteen states between 1781 and 1789, when a new Constitution was ratified. While considered to be a failure in the long-term, and an impotent authority from which a central government could efficiently act, the Articles were not a completely ineffective form of government. Under the Articles, congress was able to carry out multiple, influential programs involving the eventual forming of states in the western areas of American territory, and in foreign policy endeavors. The imposition of the Land Ordinance of 1785 and the Northwest Ordinance of 1787, the treaties with both France and Britain, and even association with Canadian territories all
…show more content…
Two main acts (the Land Ordinance of 1785 and the Northwest Ordinance of 1787) effectively dealt with the issue that the English has neglected for so long leading up to the beginning of the revolution: dealing with, organizing, and acknowledging the powers of “subordinate” lands. This began with a proclamation that the lands surrendered by the thirteen charter states would be sold in order to pay off the national debt, the Land Ordinance of 1785. This process was carried out in a orderly, manageable way, in which the land was surveyed beforehand and titles of ownership recorded so as to avoid all confusions or legal issues. This contrasted the chaotic dash for acreage south of the Ohio River Valley, especially as a result of the “Land Grab Act” passed by North Carolina in 1783. In addition, the act provided that the land be divided into specifically measured townships, a portion of which was to be expressly for the benefit of public schooling - which turned out to be an inestimable gift to the fledgling …show more content…
Overall, the Congress held the power to declare war, make alliances, appoint military officers, sign treaties, control policy involving the Native American Indians, and appoint foreign ambassadors. Most of these roles applied to foreign relations in one way or another, making it less than a surprise when Congress set up a Department of Foreign affairs by January, 1781. With Robert R. Livingston as Secretary of Foreign Affairs, the department sent U.S. representatives abroad, and accommodated foreign ministers, all of whom communicated with the Secretary. The position also allowed the Secretary to attend Congress, and eventually ask and respond to questions during sessions by 1782. This branch, and the effort of the Continental Congress in general, accomplished the feat of the Treaty of Alliance with France in 1778, being just a fledgling nation. With this flood of foreign support inspired by the Saratogan victory in 1777, the alliance led to the development of the colonies’ gathering of resources, and filling of coffers - all funding the Revolution, which the government under the Articles was also able to carry through to
Two main acts (the Land Ordinance of 1785 and the Northwest Ordinance of 1787) effectively dealt with the issue that the English has neglected for so long leading up to the beginning of the revolution: dealing with, organizing, and acknowledging the powers of “subordinate” lands. This began with a proclamation that the lands surrendered by the thirteen charter states would be sold in order to pay off the national debt, the Land Ordinance of 1785. This process was carried out in a orderly, manageable way, in which the land was surveyed beforehand and titles of ownership recorded so as to avoid all confusions or legal issues. This contrasted the chaotic dash for acreage south of the Ohio River Valley, especially as a result of the “Land Grab Act” passed by North Carolina in 1783. In addition, the act provided that the land be divided into specifically measured townships, a portion of which was to be expressly for the benefit of public schooling - which turned out to be an inestimable gift to the fledgling …show more content…
Overall, the Congress held the power to declare war, make alliances, appoint military officers, sign treaties, control policy involving the Native American Indians, and appoint foreign ambassadors. Most of these roles applied to foreign relations in one way or another, making it less than a surprise when Congress set up a Department of Foreign affairs by January, 1781. With Robert R. Livingston as Secretary of Foreign Affairs, the department sent U.S. representatives abroad, and accommodated foreign ministers, all of whom communicated with the Secretary. The position also allowed the Secretary to attend Congress, and eventually ask and respond to questions during sessions by 1782. This branch, and the effort of the Continental Congress in general, accomplished the feat of the Treaty of Alliance with France in 1778, being just a fledgling nation. With this flood of foreign support inspired by the Saratogan victory in 1777, the alliance led to the development of the colonies’ gathering of resources, and filling of coffers - all funding the Revolution, which the government under the Articles was also able to carry through to