The Articles of Confederation Failed to Provide a Strong Government The first government of the original thirteen colonies was established by the Articles of Confederation. During this time, there was no president or a judiciary, but a congress did exist (History). The Articles of Confederation were the first shot at a federal government in the Untied States. The main downfall of the Articles of Confederation was simply weakness (Articles of Confederation). After finally winning over independence from a dominant, ruling nation, the new United States expected to come up with a new, less disturbing government to mimic the ideal of democracy and freedom. Yet, in its attempt to avoid governing with too strong a hand, the Articles of Confederation limited the federal government to the point that it held nearly no power to permit freedom and democracy to flourish (Articles of Confederation). The federal
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In order for them to have been able to do this, many different taxes needed to be proposed, but none of them could be agreed upon by the states so none were passed (Kelly). In other words, Congress could ask for money but they had no power to force the states to pay. Without this money the government could not adequately run the nation, but without the power to tax, there was no way to raise money.
After the Articles, a major turning point had occurred. This even was called Shay’s Rebellion. The rebellion was an armed revolt during 1786-1787 (Shay’s Rebellion). Daniel Shay was the head leader of this event that was a rebellion against perceived economic injustices and suspension of civil rights (Boatner). Even though Shay’s Rebellion was a defeat military, it did prompt national leaders to call for a stronger federal government to overpower future rebellions. Proponents of constitutional reform cite the rebellion as justification for revision or replacement of the Articles of Confederation
In order for them to have been able to do this, many different taxes needed to be proposed, but none of them could be agreed upon by the states so none were passed (Kelly). In other words, Congress could ask for money but they had no power to force the states to pay. Without this money the government could not adequately run the nation, but without the power to tax, there was no way to raise money.
After the Articles, a major turning point had occurred. This even was called Shay’s Rebellion. The rebellion was an armed revolt during 1786-1787 (Shay’s Rebellion). Daniel Shay was the head leader of this event that was a rebellion against perceived economic injustices and suspension of civil rights (Boatner). Even though Shay’s Rebellion was a defeat military, it did prompt national leaders to call for a stronger federal government to overpower future rebellions. Proponents of constitutional reform cite the rebellion as justification for revision or replacement of the Articles of Confederation