Foundational Documents Organizer - Articles of Confederation

Vocabulary flashcards covering key concepts from the Articles of Confederation section of the Foundational Documents Organizer.

Articles of Confederation

First U.S. constitution (1781–1789) establishing a weak central government and preserving state sovereignty.

Sovereignty

The supreme authority of a state to govern itself; under the Articles, states retained sovereignty and powers not delegated to the national government.

Confederation

A form of government in which several states unite to form a central power with limited authority.

Weak central government

A central government with limited power, placing main authority in the hands of the states.

No president

There was no national executive leader under the Articles of Confederation.

No executive or judiciary

The national government lacked separate branches to execute or interpret laws.

No federal taxes

Congress did not have the power to levy taxes, limiting national revenue.

Main Idea

Each state retains sovereignty, freedom and independence, and powers not delegated to the United States in Congress.

Year in effect

1781–1789, the period during which the Articles of Confederation were in effect.

Critics’ view of weaknesses

Weak central government with no president, no national executive or judiciary, and no power to tax.