From their conception and drafting in 1776, the Articles of Confederation were nothing but a reaction to the English government. When possible, the colonists continually strived to do the exact opposite of what the English government would. This effort to avoid tyranny resulted in a decentralized, weak, inefficient, and financially poor government, one that was also nigh impossible to change and amend. Not only did this later spur reform, but it also gave impetus to “those who favored a strong central government” (persons such as Alexander Hamilton).
After all thirteen states had ratified them, the Articles of Confederation became effective on March 1st, 1781. The governmental structures instituted by the Articles of Confederation included a one house body of delegates in which each state had only one vote. Contrary to the Constitution that came after, there was no judicial or executive branch. Together, the states formed an incredibly weak national government that could decide only on certain issues that affected each state. Within in the single house of delegates, any decision made required nine out of the thirteen congressional votes, which, in turn, left the government relatively inactive and in a sort of stasis. Also, as was previously stated, any amendment to the Articles of Confederation was extremely difficult to implement. This was because, in order to pass an amendment, a unanimous vote was required (one can imagine that was highly improbable if not impossible to do). Unquestionably, the biggest issue with the central government instituted by the Articles of Confederation was its inability to levy taxes. This forced the states to levy their own taxes. Subsequently, the national government was left in debt after the innumerable costs and debt of the American Revolution as the only way the government could obtain funds was to politely request them from the states. The eventual call for governmental reform was heard loud and clear after the occurrences of Shay’s Rebellion in 1786 and 1787. The national government’s inability to control the situation left all questioning its effectiveness. This, and the lack of revenue, was what spurred the Constitutional Convention of 1787, and the subsequent drafting of the United States Constitution. If anything, the Articles of Confederation showed Americans that a balance was required when instituting government and that the beliefs held by those who favored a strong central government were at the very least somewhat valid. Therefore, in May of 1787, fifty-five delegates from twelve of the thirteen states met in Philadelphia to revise the government. In this Constitutional Convention, there were many opposing ideas. From the start of the convention, two plans were presented: the Virginia Plan, and the New Jersey Plan. The Virginia Plan, proposed by James Madison, would establish a bicameral congress with representation proportionate to the population of each state. The New …show more content…
Similar to the super-majority present within the Articles of Confederation, nine out of the thirteen states needed to ratify the Constitution in order for it to become effective. The other issue was that it had become increasingly clear that the Constitution needed support from larger and more prominent states in order for it to be accepted and successful. The first states to ratify the Constitution were Delaware, Pennsylvania, New Jersey, Georgia, and Connecticut. It was at this point where further opposition began to occur. Arguments against the Constitution included the loss of power that the states used to possess, and the lack of written out and specific individual rights. The first man to ease the fears and concerns of the people was James Madison. He promised that a Bill of Rights would be added to the Constitution as individual amendments if they would, in turn, be ratified. The greatest dissension and opposition towards the Constitution was in New York. In order to counteract the anti-federalists present in New York, James Madison, John Jay, and Alexander Hamilton wrote a conglomeration of essays called “The Federalist Papers”. These essays discussed the positive reforms that the Constitution would make, and how they would better the states as a whole. The papers must have been effective as many New York citizens read them, and the Constitution was ratified soon after. All the other states that needed to ratify the Constitution did not oppose it, and it became fully operational in September of
After all thirteen states had ratified them, the Articles of Confederation became effective on March 1st, 1781. The governmental structures instituted by the Articles of Confederation included a one house body of delegates in which each state had only one vote. Contrary to the Constitution that came after, there was no judicial or executive branch. Together, the states formed an incredibly weak national government that could decide only on certain issues that affected each state. Within in the single house of delegates, any decision made required nine out of the thirteen congressional votes, which, in turn, left the government relatively inactive and in a sort of stasis. Also, as was previously stated, any amendment to the Articles of Confederation was extremely difficult to implement. This was because, in order to pass an amendment, a unanimous vote was required (one can imagine that was highly improbable if not impossible to do). Unquestionably, the biggest issue with the central government instituted by the Articles of Confederation was its inability to levy taxes. This forced the states to levy their own taxes. Subsequently, the national government was left in debt after the innumerable costs and debt of the American Revolution as the only way the government could obtain funds was to politely request them from the states. The eventual call for governmental reform was heard loud and clear after the occurrences of Shay’s Rebellion in 1786 and 1787. The national government’s inability to control the situation left all questioning its effectiveness. This, and the lack of revenue, was what spurred the Constitutional Convention of 1787, and the subsequent drafting of the United States Constitution. If anything, the Articles of Confederation showed Americans that a balance was required when instituting government and that the beliefs held by those who favored a strong central government were at the very least somewhat valid. Therefore, in May of 1787, fifty-five delegates from twelve of the thirteen states met in Philadelphia to revise the government. In this Constitutional Convention, there were many opposing ideas. From the start of the convention, two plans were presented: the Virginia Plan, and the New Jersey Plan. The Virginia Plan, proposed by James Madison, would establish a bicameral congress with representation proportionate to the population of each state. The New …show more content…
Similar to the super-majority present within the Articles of Confederation, nine out of the thirteen states needed to ratify the Constitution in order for it to become effective. The other issue was that it had become increasingly clear that the Constitution needed support from larger and more prominent states in order for it to be accepted and successful. The first states to ratify the Constitution were Delaware, Pennsylvania, New Jersey, Georgia, and Connecticut. It was at this point where further opposition began to occur. Arguments against the Constitution included the loss of power that the states used to possess, and the lack of written out and specific individual rights. The first man to ease the fears and concerns of the people was James Madison. He promised that a Bill of Rights would be added to the Constitution as individual amendments if they would, in turn, be ratified. The greatest dissension and opposition towards the Constitution was in New York. In order to counteract the anti-federalists present in New York, James Madison, John Jay, and Alexander Hamilton wrote a conglomeration of essays called “The Federalist Papers”. These essays discussed the positive reforms that the Constitution would make, and how they would better the states as a whole. The papers must have been effective as many New York citizens read them, and the Constitution was ratified soon after. All the other states that needed to ratify the Constitution did not oppose it, and it became fully operational in September of