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History of the Articles of Confederation

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The Articles of Confederation, the United States' first constitution, was written during a time when
the American people feared strong national governments. The new nation needed some kind of
organization to hold states together to help them fend off future attacks and hopefully make a
stronger economy, and the Articles of Confederation seemed like the best answer to build unity at
the time.

The English government had been especially abusive to the Colonists, who were very reluctant to
install a new government that could potentially function similar to the monarchy under King
George. The loyalty of the people seemed to align more with the individual states than with the
nation. After the American Revolution, states were still printing their own money, which was
worthless in other states and further hindered cooperation. The 13 new states needed to find
common ground and a way to cooperate.

During the American Revolution, many states wrote their own state constitutions. These
constitutions consisted of political ideas that provided equality and freedom. States particularly
relished the three branches of government and the idea of a republic, where citizens elect political
officials. However, when the states came together to complete the first constitution, the nation was
formed as a confederation, where states were sovereign, while trying to work together.

The Articles of Confederation only set up the Continental Congress at the federal level. There were
no executive or judicial branches except within the states. The states were allowed to keep every
right that was not specifically given to Congress. The bonding of the states was through a 'firm
league of friendship' that best served as a defense agreement against invasion. States were not
allowed to use taxes as a way to discourage treaties or direct dealings with foreign nations.

Not many historians today talk about the strengths of the Articles of Confederation, likely because
of how unpopular the document quickly became. The Articles did set the legislative body,
Congress, as the highest power in the nation because of the fear of monarchy. Congress had the
sole power to declare war, assign treaties, entertain foreign relations, and operate post offices.
Disputes between states and territorial issues were to be brought to Congress. The document also
stipulated that Canada was allowed to enter the Union if they desired.

There were more weaknesses than strengths under the Articles of Confederation. The lack of
power given to the Continental Congress strangled the federal government. The Articles gave
Congress the power to pass laws but no power to enforce those laws. If a state did not support a
federal law, that state could simply ignore it. Congress had no power to levy taxes or regulate
trade. Without a federal court system or executive leader, there would be no way to enforce these
laws, either. Amending the Articles of Confederation would also require a unanimous decision,
which would be extremely difficult.

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