Heimler's AP Gov AOC

Confederation

A form of government where states unite under a weak central authority.

Article 2 – State Sovereignty

Each state retains its sovereignty, freedom, and independence unless expressly delegated to the United States in Congress assembled.

Article 5 – Federal Legislature

Establishes a unicameral Congress as the only federal branch, with no president or federal courts.

States and Foreign Policy

States could not conduct their own diplomacy without Congress.

Powers of Congress (Article 9)

Congress could resolve disputes, set weights/measures, but needed a supermajority to make major decisions.

Amendments (Article 13)

Required unanimous consent of all 13 states, making amendments virtually impossible.

Weakness of Articles

No executive or judiciary, equal representation regardless of population, no power to tax or raise a national army.

Significance of Articles

Highlighted the dangers of an overly weak federal government and led to the Constitutional Convention.

Key Achievement of Articles

Created a central government for the first time while preserving state sovereignty.

Key Takeaway

The Articles of Confederation was the first U.S. constitution, but too weak to govern effectively.