Legal Definitions - Articles of Confederation

The Articles of Confederation served as the first written constitution and governing agreement among the 13 original American states. It established a loose alliance of independent states with a weak central government, operating from its ratification in 1781 until it was replaced by the United States Constitution in 1789.

Here are some examples illustrating the impact and nature of the Articles of Confederation:

• Economic Disarray: After the Revolutionary War, a merchant in New York wanted to sell his goods in Connecticut and Massachusetts. Under the Articles of Confederation, each state could impose its own tariffs and trade regulations, making it difficult and expensive for the merchant to conduct business across state lines.

  This illustrates how the Articles created a weak central government unable to regulate interstate commerce effectively. Without a unified economic policy, individual states often acted in their own interests, hindering national economic growth and creating friction among the states.

• Lack of National Defense and Order: When Shays' Rebellion, an uprising of indebted farmers, broke out in Massachusetts in 1786, the national government under the Articles of Confederation found itself largely powerless. It lacked the authority to raise a national army or compel states to provide troops and funds quickly, leaving Massachusetts to largely handle the crisis on its own.

  This example demonstrates the critical weakness of the Articles in providing for national defense and maintaining domestic order. The central government's inability to effectively respond to internal threats highlighted the need for a stronger federal authority with the power to raise and fund a military.

• Legislative Gridlock: Imagine a proposal to establish a national postal service or a uniform system of weights and measures for all states. Under the Articles, such a measure would require the approval of nine out of the thirteen states to pass, and any amendment to the Articles themselves required unanimous consent.

  This scenario highlights the significant legislative hurdles inherent in the Articles of Confederation. The requirement for supermajorities for legislation and unanimous consent for amendments often led to political gridlock, making it nearly impossible for the national government to enact necessary reforms or respond efficiently to the needs of the fledgling nation.