1.4 - challenges of the articles of confederation

how did the provisions of the articles of confederation lead to debates over granting powers formerly reserved for states to the federal gov?

what did the AoC say about states rights?

article II (2)

states keep their independence

each state can make it’s own decisions and govern themselves, retain their rights

what did AoC say about states relationship to eachother?

article III (3)

states SHOULD help eachother

states are to protect and support eachother from attack, maintain friendship

what did AoC say about legislature and the process of creating it?

article V (5)

lays out process of delegates in congress, says term requirements and state proportion

what did AoC say about taxes?

article VIII (8)

speaks on national taxes and the process of collecting national taxes from each state, treasury, also the proportion of taxes for each state

what did AoC say about war?

article IX (9)

we have the power to declare war but let’s not!

what did AoC say about changing the document?

article XIII (13)

all states must follow AoC, change warrants a 100% unanimous decision

what was the context in which the AoC was created?

we had declared independence recently, the rev war was underway, and we needed a formal gov

in the confederation congress (making AoC) how were states represented?

1 delegate each

what are some positives about the AoC?

entitled Congress to engage in intl diplomacy, declare war, acquire territory, and provide extradition (when criminals runaway, return them to original states)

when it came to the people and their political and personal feelings, what was a major issue in the american system under the AoC?

people felt a sense of loyalty to their state rather than national government

list weaknesses in the AoC

at least 9 states must agree to enact natl law

all states must agree to amend the AoC

congress couldn’t tax

natl gov couldn’t raise/maintain army

no national currency

no national court system

congress encouraged but couldn’t regulate interstate commerce

what was the “closing argument” for needing a new gov

the lack of a centralized military power and readiness to respond to shay’s rebellion

what was shay’s rebellion?

a large group of impoverished farmers lost their farms due to financial issues. they organized and became violent, demanding the gov to ease financial pressures by printing more money and lowering taxes