Articles of Confederation

It was replaced by the U.S. Constitution

These "Articles" were the precursor to the Constitution. They were written to give the Continental Congress the authority it needed to act as a federation of states united primarily for the defense of the colonies against the tyranny of the British Monarchy.

A) gave congress the power to control trade between states.

B) gave more power to the states than to the national government.

C) provided for a system of courts and judges.

D) provided for a president or other officer to head the government.

The Articles of Confederation created a loose confederation of independent states that gave limited powers to the central government.

committee of states

The Articles of Confederation were written by one representative from each colony. John Dickinson, the delegate from Delaware, was the principal writer.

The Constitution was written as a group effort by the men who were present at the Constitutional Convention (55 delegates appointed by the states). The "Father of the Constitution" is known as James Madison, as he sketched the initial draft.

to create an effective government

Congress had been denied power to regulate either foreign trade or interstate commerce. Hence, all the States maintained control over their own trade policies.

Each state was a "law unto itself"

that one thing

The Articles of Confederation sought to create the states independence but it had many problems. One such problem was there was no court system and Congress did not have the power to tax.

they gave the government too little power

Annapolis Convention.

Nullify.

VerY good forcing them to write a constitution

Confederation is defined as being the creation of loosely assembled states or territories. The Articles of Confederation made this act legal.

The Preamble

Drafted during the years 1776 and 1777, while the colonists were still fighting for independence, the Articles of Confederation created a weak national government with most of the governmental powers retained by the states. The Articles provided no separation of branches. There was no president or any other independent executive, nor was there a federal judicial branch. Congress, the legislature, was the only branch of government. Laws required unanimous votes. Members elected to congress did not vote as individuals, but as states. While congress did have some powers, it could not enforce its laws on the states or the people. States were permitted to coin their own money. There was no regulation of commerce between the states and states could even enter into treaties with foreign nations and declare war, "with the consent of Congress." Congress could not tax the states or the people, it could only request funds to run the government.

They stopped using the articles in 1787.

That congress, or The gov't, could not raise an army to "suppress insurrections." They could not really do anything at all. For example, they could make laws, but couldn't enforce them.

How did James Madison attempt to address the weaknesses of the Articles of Confederation and how it is organized?

every powerful economic class in the nation suffered either immediate losses or from impediments placed in the way of the development of their enterprises

Yes, yes it was. It wasn't until 1787 that today's constitution was ratified.

The Articles of Confederation created a weak Central government