Heimler's AP Gov 1.4

AP Gov – Articles of Confederation

Background

• First constitution of the United States (1777–1789).

• Drafted after independence (1776) → states created their own constitutions first.

• U.S. under Articles = confederation (13 sovereign states loosely tied together).

• Purpose: Coordinate diplomacy, trade, war efforts.

• Designed to avoid monarchy → very weak central government, states held most power.

Strength

• Prevented tyranny of a strong central government (reaction to monarchy).

Weaknesses

1. Unicameral Congress only → no executive or judicial branches.

2. Amendments required unanimous approval (all 13 states).

3. No power to tax → Congress could only request money from states.

   • Example: 1782 proposal for 5% tariff failed (Virginia refused).

4. No national currency → each state had different money → economic chaos.

5. No power to raise a national army → dependent on state militias.

6. Debt crisis → Couldn’t pay Revolutionary War veterans or handle national expenses.

Shays’ Rebellion (1786–1787)

• Economic crisis: farmers in debt, inflation, high taxes, unpaid war wages.

• Daniel Shays led 1,000+ farmers in armed revolt in Massachusetts.

• Goal: shut down courts, prevent debt collection.

• Rebellion crushed by Massachusetts militia (not federal help).

• Problem revealed: No national army to put down uprisings.

• Sparked fear that widespread unrest could collapse the young nation.

Significance

• Highlighted failures of the Articles:

  • Weak federal government couldn’t maintain order or stability.

  • States acted independently; no unity.

• Led to calls for a stronger central government.

• Paved the way for the Constitutional Convention (1787).

Key Takeaways

• Articles = decentralized government designed to avoid tyranny.

• Strength = preserved state sovereignty.

• Weaknesses (no tax power, no army, no executive, no unified currency) made it ineffective.

• Shays’ Rebellion proved it was too weak → motivated push for the U.S. Constitution.