Articles of Confederation

Neither, since confederation and government are two different concepts. One describes a regime type and the other is the lowest level of the state.

It swayed the public opinion to support a stronger national government

It proved that the Articles of Confederation wasn't effective. Also it persuaded George Washington to attend the Constitutional Convention.

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The Articles of Confederation failed primarily due to their lack of a strong central government, which led to ineffective governance and inability to enforce laws or collect taxes. States retained most of their sovereignty, resulting in a fragmented system where cooperation was difficult. Additionally, the absence of an executive branch meant there was no effective leadership to address national issues, ultimately leading to economic instability and diplomatic challenges. These weaknesses prompted the need for a stronger federal framework, culminating in the U.S. Constitution.

The Articles of Confederation, adopted in 1781, established the first governing framework for the United States, creating a loose alliance of sovereign states. It formed a unicameral legislature, the Continental Congress, which had limited powers, primarily focused on foreign affairs and defense. However, the Articles lacked the authority to impose taxes or regulate commerce effectively, leading to economic difficulties and internal strife. This ultimately prompted the need for a stronger federal government, resulting in the Constitutional Convention of 1787.

True. The Articles of Confederation required the approval of all 13 states for ratification, while the U.S. Constitution only required the consent of nine states to become effective. This difference allowed for a more streamlined process in adopting the Constitution compared to the Articles of Confederation.

The Articles of Confederation reflected a deep-seated distrust of a strong national government stemming from historical experiences under British rule, where colonists faced oppressive taxation and arbitrary governance. Philosophically, Enlightenment ideas emphasized individual liberties and the dangers of concentrated power, leading to a preference for decentralized authority. The fear of tyranny and the desire for states’ rights played significant roles in shaping the Articles, promoting a system that prioritized local governance over a potent central authority. This distrust ultimately hindered the effectiveness of the national government, prompting calls for reform and the eventual drafting of the U.S. Constitution.

The Articles of Confederation included a weak central government. It was designed to govern thousands of people in thirteen colonies. The Mayflower Compact was a much simpiler document. It was designed to govern dozens of people in one colony.

One significant weakness of the Articles of Confederation was the lack of a strong central government, which limited its ability to enforce laws and regulate commerce effectively. This resulted in states pursuing their own interests, leading to economic instability and trade disputes. Additionally, the federal government could not levy taxes, making it difficult to raise revenue for national defense and other essential functions. This ultimately highlighted the need for a more robust governing framework, leading to the Constitutional Convention.

The event that led to the Western states sending delegates to Philadelphia to revise the Articles of Confederation was Shays' Rebellion in 1786-1787. This armed uprising, primarily by farmers in Massachusetts protesting economic injustices and government overreach, highlighted the weaknesses of the Articles, particularly in managing economic turmoil and maintaining order. The rebellion prompted calls for a stronger central government, ultimately resulting in the Constitutional Convention of 1787, where delegates gathered to address these issues.

Shay's Rebellion and the diplomatic failures highlighted the weaknesses of the Articles of Confederation, particularly in terms of federal authority and governance. The inability of the national government to quell the rebellion demonstrated its lack of power to enforce laws and maintain order. Furthermore, diplomatic challenges, such as difficulties in trade and foreign relations, underscored the Articles' inadequacy in providing a unified national policy. Together, these issues prompted calls for a stronger federal government, leading to the Constitutional Convention of 1787.

Northwest Ordinance of 1787

Trade between the states declined during the period of the Articles of Confederation primarily due to the lack of a strong central government to regulate commerce, various state tariffs that hindered inter-state trade, and economic instability following the Revolutionary War. However, the assertion that trade declined due to an increase in foreign competition is inaccurate, as the primary issues were internal rather than external. The absence of a unified economic policy and the inability to enforce trade agreements among states played a more significant role.