Accomplishments and Weaknesses of the Articles of Confederation

Articles of Confederation

First governing document of the United States.

Accomplishment of Articles

Successfully waged war for independence from Britain.

Weakness of Articles

Lacked power to tax and regulate commerce.

Constitution

Document establishing the current framework of U.S. government.

Compromises of Constitutional Convention

Agreements made to balance interests of states.

Federalists

Supported a strong central government and Constitution.

Anti-Federalists

Opposed a strong central government, favoring states' rights.

Common goal of Federalists and Anti-Federalists

Desire for a stable and effective government.

Philosophical differences

Federalists favored central authority; Anti-Federalists favored states' power.

Jefferson vs. Hamilton

Disagreement over federal government power and scope.

States' rights according to Jefferson

States could nullify federal actions deemed unconstitutional.

Formation of political parties

Resulted from differing views on government power and policy.