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Congress could feel that the Articles of Confederation were not working for the people of the United States, so they called a Constitutional Convention to revise the Articles to alleviate some of these problems and better unite the country through legal means. Once the delegates had convened, however, it became clear that the Articles of Confederation were never going to work for the United States, and the Constitution was written to take their place.

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Congress could feel that the Articles of Confederation were not working for the people of the United States, so they called a Constitutional Convention to revise the Articles to alleviate some of these problems and better unite the country through legal means. Once the delegates had convened, however, it became clear that the Articles of Confederation were never going to work for the United States, and the Constitution was written to take their place.

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The confederation Congress called for a Constitutional Convention because Americans recognized that the Articles of Confederation, the foundation document for the new United States adopted in 1777, had to be substantially modified. The Articles gave Congress virtually no power to regulate domestic affairs--no power to tax, no power to regulate commerce. Without coercive power, Congress had to depend on financial contributions from the states, and they often time turned down requests. Congress had neither the money to pay soldiers for their service in the Revolutionary War or to repay foreign loans granted to support the war effort. In 1786, the United States was bankrupt. Moreover, the young nation faced many other challenges and threats. States engaged in an endless war of economic discrimination against commerce from other states. Southern states battled northern states for economic advantage. The country was ill-equipped to fight a war--and other nations wondered whether treaties with the United States were worth the paper they were written on. On top of all else, Americans suffered from injured pride, as European nations dismissed the United States as "a third-rate republic."

America's creditor class had other worries. In Rhode Island (called by elites "Rogue Island"), a state legislature dominated by the debtor class passed legislation essentially forgiving all debts as it considered a measure that would redistribute property every thirteen years. The final straw for many came in western Massachusetts where angry farmers, led by Daniel Shays, took up arms and engaged in active rebellion in an effort to gain debt relief.

Troubles with the existing Confederation of States finally convinced the Continental Congress, in February 1787, to call for a convention of delegates to meet in May in Philadelphia "to devise such further provisions as shall appear to them necessary to render the constitution of the Federal Government adequate to the exigencies of the Union."

Across the country, the cry "Liberty!" filled the air. But what liberty? Few people claim to be anti-liberty, but the word "liberty" has many meanings. Should the delegates be most concerned with protected liberty of conscience, liberty of contract (meaning, for many at the time, the right of creditors to collect debts owed under their contracts), or the liberty to hold property (debtors complained that this liberty was being taken by banks and other creditors)? Moreover, the cry for liberty could mean two very different things with respect to the slave issue--for some, the liberty to own slaves needed protection, while for others (those more able to see through black eyes), liberty meant ending the slavery.

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Q: Why did the confederation congress call for a constitution convention?
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Why did Congress call for a convention of the states?

Congress wanted to strengthen and refine the Articles of Confederation.


Why did congress call a convention to revers the articles of confederation?

They didn't work, pure and simple.


Why did the confederation congress call for the constitution convention?

Congress could feel that the Articles of Confederation were not working for the people of the United States, so they called a Constitutional Convention to revise the Articles to alleviate some of these problems and better unite the country through legal means. Once the delegates had convened, however, it became clear that the Articles of Confederation were never going to work for the United States, and the Constitution was written to take their place.


Why did the confederation congress call for the constitutional convention?

Congress could feel that the Articles of Confederation were not working for the people of the United States, so they called a Constitutional Convention to revise the Articles to alleviate some of these problems and better unite the country through legal means. Once the delegates had convened, however, it became clear that the Articles of Confederation were never going to work for the United States, and the Constitution was written to take their place.


Why did congress call a convention to revise the articles of confederation?

the federal government needed to be stronger. novanet (:The federal government needed to be made stronger


When can there be a constitutional convention?

The answer is. As soon as it becomes general public knowledge that a sufficient number of applications have been submitted by the states to cause a convention call. Congress has disobeyed the Constitution and refused to call a convention. The over 700 applications from 49 states can be read at www.foavc.org. Once Congress realizes the American public know they have been violating the Constitution and begin asking why can they do this, public pressure will mount. Not so much because of a convention but because everyone will realize that if Congress can refuse to obey one part of the Constitution, they can disobey other parts. To prevent this means forcing them to call the convention even if nothing is done at the convention.


Why did the state call a Constitutional Convention?

The Constitutional Convention was called for the purpose of correcting the deficiencies of the Articles of Confederation. Meaning the Articles of Confederation and Perpetual Union was an agreement among the 13 original states of the United States of America that served as its first constitution.


The constitution allows congress to call a convention to propose an amendment if it has been requested by a two thirds majority vote of?

both houses of Congress or by two thirds of the state legislatures. This method of proposing amendments is known as a constitutional convention. However, to date, no constitutional convention has been called through this method, and all 27 amendments to the Constitution have been proposed by Congress.


Why did congress call the constitutional convention?

The Congress called for the Constitutional Convention to address problems in governing the US.


What does article 5 of the constitution?

Article V of the Constitution explains the amendment process of the Constitution, that is, how the Constitution may be amended. There are two processes for proposing amendments, either by two-thirds vote in each house of Congress or by an Article V Convention. All amendments thus far to the Constitution have been by proposal of Congress. The reason a convention to propose amendments, or Article V Convention has never been called despite the 750 applications from all 50 states, is because Congress refuses to obey the Constitution and call the convention. The Constitution mandates that if two-thirds of the state legislatures (34) apply for a convention, Congress must call it. A convention can only propose amendments to the present Constitution and is not empowered to write or propose a new or replacement Constitution. Regardless of how an amendment is proposed it must be ratified in the states either by three fourths vote in the state legislatures or by three fourths vote in state ratifying conventions. The method of ratification is by choice of Congress but Congress has no power to withhold a proposed amendment or veto it once it has been ratified. Once an amendment is ratified, it becomes part of our present Constitution.


Which of the following issues of recent years is Congress most vigorously pursuing to call a national convention to amend the constitution?

congressional term limits


What is article 5 of constitution?

Article V of the Constitution explains the amendment process of the Constitution, that is, how the Constitution may be amended. There are two processes for proposing amendments, either by two-thirds vote in each house of Congress or by an Article V Convention. All amendments thus far to the Constitution have been by proposal of Congress. The reason a convention to propose amendments, or Article V Convention has never been called despite the 750 applications from all 50 states, is because Congress refuses to obey the Constitution and call the convention. The Constitution mandates that if two-thirds of the state legislatures (34) apply for a convention, Congress must call it. A convention can only propose amendments to the present Constitution and is not empowered to write or propose a new or replacement Constitution. Regardless of how an amendment is proposed it must be ratified in the states either by three fourths vote in the state legislatures or by three fourths vote in state ratifying conventions. The method of ratification is by choice of Congress but Congress has no power to withhold a proposed amendment or veto it once it has been ratified. Once an amendment is ratified, it becomes part of our present Constitution.