The Articles of Confederation by Ava

AP

Articles of Confederation

The first governing document of the United States, ratified in 1781, which established a weak central government and strong state sovereignty

Confederation

A system of government where states retain most of the power, with a weak national authority.

Unicameral Legislature

A single-house legislative body, as established under the Articles.

State Sovereignty

The principle that individual states had the most power, limiting the national government’s authority.

No Executive Branch

The Articles lacked a president or centralized leadership to enforce laws.

No National Judiciary

There was no federal court system to resolve disputes between states.

Unanimous Consent for Amendments

Any changes to the Articles required approval from all 13 states, making reform difficult.

Weaknesses of the Articles

The national government could not levy taxes, regulate interstate commerce, or enforce laws effectively

Shays’ Rebellion (1786-1787)

A farmer-led uprising in Massachusetts that highlighted the weaknesses of the Articles and the need for a stronger federal government

Second Continental Congress

The governing body that drafted and adopted the Articles.

Ratification of the Articles

The formal approval of the Articles by all 13 states.

Northwest Ordinance

One of the few successes of the Articles, establishing a process for admitting new states to the Union.

Constitutional Convention

A meeting in Philadelphia to address the failures of the Articles, leading to the drafting of the U.S. Constitution