CT

Heimler's AP Gov AOC

AP Gov – Articles of Confederation (Foundational Document)

What is a Confederation?

  • Confederation = a form of government where states (or powers) unite under a weak central authority.

  • Early U.S. = 13 separate sovereign states loosely tied together.

  • Main Principle: Power remained primarily with the states, not the federal government.

Key Provisions

Article 2 – State Sovereignty

  • “Each state retains its sovereignty, freedom, and independence…unless expressly delegated to the United States in Congress assembled.”

  • States were supreme → federal gov. only had powers explicitly delegated.

Article 5 – Federal Legislature

  • Only one branch: Congress (unicameral).

  • No president, no federal courts.

  • Each state = one vote, regardless of size/population.

Article 6 – Foreign Policy & Military

  • States couldn’t conduct their own diplomacy (treaties, embassies) without Congress.

  • No standing national army → each state maintained its own militia.

Article 9 – Powers of Congress

  • Could: resolve disputes between states, set weights/measures, appoint committees.

  • Could not: declare war or make major decisions unless 9 of 13 states approved (supermajority).

  • Very limited national power.

Article 13 – Amendments

  • Amendments required unanimous consent (13/13 states).

  • Made change virtually impossible.

Achievements

  • Created a central government for the first time.

  • Preserved state sovereignty.

  • Prevented tyranny of a strong central government.

Weaknesses

  • No executive or judiciary.

  • Equal representation regardless of population.

  • No power to tax (depended on state contributions).

  • No power to raise a national army.

  • Required supermajority or unanimity for major decisions/amendments → gridlock.

Significance

  • Articles highlighted the dangers of an overly weak federal government.

  • Inefficiency and state dominance led to instability.

  • By 1787, clear that reforms/new system was needed → Constitutional Convention.

Key Takeaway

  • Articles of Confederation = first U.S. constitution, but too weak to govern effectively.

  • Lessons from its failures directly shaped the stronger U.S. Constitution.