American History

Before stating the actual importance the Articles of Confederation Congress achieved between 1781 and 1787 and accounting for why, in spite of achievements, there was a fiasco, it is vital to know what the Articles of Confederation were. In a basic way, the Articles of Confederation is a loose binding of the states together. The Articles of Confederation was the document that organized a perpetual Union among the 13 states that had declared independence from Great Britain or the Articles of Confederation are referred to as the first constitution of the United States of America.

A committee was drafted by the Second Continental Congress to draft the Articles in June 1776 and the draft was sent to the states for ratification in November 1777. The ratification process was completed in March 1781. The Articles were in effect between March 1, 1781, and March 4, 1789, when they were replaced by the Constitution of the United States of America. Many events took place during the Articles period. The Treaty of Paris left the United States independent and at peace but with an unsettled governmental structure (Articles of Confederation). The Second Continental Congress had drawn up Articles of Confederation in November 15, 1777, to regularize its own status. These described a permanent confederation, but granted to the Congressthe only federal institutionlittle power to finance itself or to ensure that its resolutions were enforced. The Articles of Confederation were feeble in nature and did not give a strong political foundation for the newly formed nation.

However, the articles did serve as the lead up to the much stronger constitution. Although historians generally agree that the articles were a spectacular fiasco in terms of workable governance, they do give much credit to the Land Ordinance of 1785 and Northwest Ordinance. During the latter years of the war, most people were living in comparative comfort. Farmers found a ready market for their produce within the lines of the British and French armies. Blockade runners and the prizes from privateers added rich cargoes and merchandise to northern shops. Speculators went in debt in preparation for the economic boom which was sure to follow the war. But the economic depression dashed all their hopes. Political unrest in several states and efforts by debtors to use popular government to erase their debts increased the anxiety of the political and economic elites which had led the Revolution. There were few other movements during the Articles period like Shays Rebellion.

Then there was Annapolis Convention in 1786 in order to revise the Articles. While this constitution was a contribution to the techniques of government and a leap towards national integrity, most American historians hold that the Articles of Confederation proved wholly unsatisfactory because of the subordinate position occupied by the central government. Congress, dependent upon the states for its funds and for the execution of its decrees, became a legislative-executive body attempting to reconcile the policies of the various states. It could not extend its jurisdiction to individuals, command respect abroad by stabilizing credit, unify foreign and domestic policies, pass navigation regulations, or enforce treaty obligations.

In fact, the Articles of Confederation, the first official government of the United States had many serious weaknesses. 1) Under the Articles there was only a unicameral legislature so that there was no separation of powers. 2) The central government under the Articles was too feeble since the majority of the power rested with the states. 3) Congress, under the Articles, did not have the authority to tax which meant that they could never put their finances in order. 4) In order to alter or amend the Articles, unanimous approval of the states was needed which vitally meant that changes to the Articles were out of question. 5) For any major laws to pass they had to be approved by 9 or the 13 states which proved difficult to do so that even the normal business of running a government was difficult(The Weakness of Articles of Confederation). All these led to its failure as a national government.