Articles Of Confederation Strengths And Weaknesses

Following the end of the Revolutionary War, America needed a government system that was different from the British Government, this led to the birth of the Articles of Confederation. The articles were first reviewed in 1777 in Philadelphia, but it wasn 't until four years later that they were ratified by the existing 13 states. These articles only managed to keep the country together until it was replaced by the superior Constitution in 1789. The main reason the Articles were significantly weak is was that sovereign power in the states was too strong, as mentioned in the 2nd article “Each state retains its sovereignty, freedom, and independence, and every power, jurisdiction, and right, which is not by this Confederation expressly delegated to the United States, in Congress assembled.” Seeing as the United States separated from Britain, a monarchy, the first draft of American government did not have a strong centralized government. …show more content…
Under the Articles of Confederation, congress had the ability to wage war and propose treaties, however it did not have the power to raise and fund a national army of it 's own. Instead, the federal government had to rely on the militias that the militias of each state. Due to the congress having to rely on militias, it was unable to defend against the British forces that pestered Americas borders. Britain saw the weakness in the Articles and decided to break treaty and attack America at its borders and trade routes. The British even captured American sailors and conscripted them into the British navy. Internally, the economic depression led the farmers of America to rebellion. The protests were at first peaceful but in 1786, a rebellion called Shay 's Rebellion took place. This rebellion was eventually put down, however not having a standing national army available provided the