Articles of Confederation: Strengths and Weaknesses

These flashcards cover the key strengths, weaknesses, failures, and successes of the Articles of Confederation, as well as significant events and legislation related to it.

Articles of Confederation

The first constitution of the United States, which established a weak federal government.

Weakness: No chief executive

There was no president or executive branch to enforce laws.

Weakness: No national court system

There were no federal courts to resolve disputes.

Difficulty in passing laws

Laws required approval from 9 out of 13 states, making legislation challenging.

Unanimous consent for amendments

Amendments needed agreement from all 13 states, making changes nearly impossible.

Congress's inability to tax

Congress could only request money from states, not levy taxes.

No national currency

The lack of a single currency caused confusion in trade and payments.

Shays’ Rebellion

An armed protest led by Daniel Shays against debt penalties after the American Revolution.

Failure: Lack of a national executive

The absence of a national leader made managing affairs difficult.

Success: Treaty of Paris (1783)

The treaty that officially ended the American Revolution.

Northwest Ordinance of 1787

Legislation that created a framework for governance of new territories and their admission as states.

Requirements for statehood under Northwest Ordinance

Territories needed 5,000 people to elect leaders and 60,000 residents to apply for statehood.

Importance of education and rights in territories

New states had to support education and protect rights, and ban slavery.