On November 15, 1777 the Continental Congress adopted the Articles of Confederation, the first constitution of the new nation. The Articles created a government in which the colonies - now states - retained most of the power. This left the central government weak, without essential powers like the ability to control foreign policy or to tax. In 1786, a group of western Massachusetts residents, led by former Continental Army Captain, Daniel Shay, rebelled because of the state’s high taxes and wartime debt. This event made it apparent that the federal government established by the Articles of Confederation was unable to address internal rebellions because it did not have the funds nor the military power to do so. In May 1787, the Constitutional Convention met in Philadelphia to address the shortcomings of the Articles. In September, the Constitution was born. Show  This photograph depicts Independence Hall. This building served as the setting for many important moments in American history - such as the signing of the Declaration of Independence and the ratification of the Articles of the Confederation. Just ten years after the creation of the Articles of Confederation, the United States adopted a new constitution that was significantly different from its predecessor. One of the most significant changes between the Articles of Confederation and Constitution was the creation of the three branches of government: the executive, legislative, and judicial. This separation of powers ensured that power would not be concentrated in one particular branch. Under the Articles of Confederation, there was no executive or judicial branch, and the legislative body was a single body appointed by the state legislatures. The Constitution created a bicameral legislature: the House of Representatives, elected by the popular vote; and the Senate, still appointed by the state legislature. Each member of the new Congress was granted a vote, while under the Articles each state was granted a singular vote. Members of Congress under the Articles served one year terms with term limits, while the Constitution made terms two years for Representatives and six years for Senators, with no term limits. This painting entitled, "Scene at the Signing of the Constitution of the United States" was painted by Chandler Christy in 1940. It depicts George Washington, president of the convention, standing on a platform in room full of delegates. They are in Independence Hall. The Constitution also gave the federal government more power over money and taxes. The new system of government allowed Congress to control interstate commerce and barred states from creating their own coined money. It also granted the federal government the power to tax individuals. The Articles of Confederation were written when rhetoric such as “Taxation without Representation” filled the political atmosphere. This meant that the Articles granted the central government no power to tax, but instead had to request money from the states, with little to no ways to enforce it. Without the ability to tax, the central government could not do essential taxes such as pay debts. Taxation increased the power of the federal government because it gave the new government the ability to raise and support the military, to pay Congress, and to fund its other functions. Ultimately, the largest difference between America’s two governing documents is in that the Articles sovereignty resided in the states, and the Constitution was declared the law of the land when it was ratified which significantly increased the power of the federal government. The Articles were seen as stagnant, uneasily changed, and ineffective. The Constitution was created to be a living document, a document that can be amended, to meet the needs of a growing and changed nation. While the state constitutions were being created, the Continental Congress continued to meet as a general political body. Despite being the central government, it was a loose confederation and most significant power was held by the individual states. By 1777 members of Congress realized that they should have some clearly written rules for how they were organized. As a result the Articles of Confederation were drafted and passed by the Congress in November. This first national "constitution" for the United States was not particularly innovative, and mostly put into written form how the Congress had operated since 1775. Even though the Articles were rather modest in their proposals, they would not be ratified by all the states until 1781. Even this was accomplished largely because the dangers of war demanded greater cooperation. The purpose of the central government was clearly stated in the Articles. The Congress had control over diplomacy, printing money, resolving controversies between different states, and, most importantly, coordinating the war effort. The most important action of the Continental Congress was probably the creation and maintenance of the Continental Army. Even in this area, however, the central government's power was quite limited. While Congress could call on states to contribute specific resources and numbers of men for the army, it was not allowed to force states to obey the central government's request for aid. Revolutions need strong leaders and willing citizens to succeed, but they also need money. By curbing inflation and stabilizing the early economy, Robert Morris helped ensure the success of the American Revolution. The organization of Congress itself demonstrates the primacy of state power. Each state had one vote. Nine out of thirteen states had to support a law for it to be enacted. Furthermore, any changes to the Articles themselves would require unanimous agreement. In the one-state, one-vote rule, state sovereignty was given a primary place even within the national government. Furthermore, the whole national government consisted entirely of the unicameral (one body) Congress with no executive and no judicial organizations. The national Congress' limited power was especially clear when it came to money issues. Not surprisingly, given that the Revolution's causes had centered on opposition to unfair taxes, the central government had no power to raise its own revenues through taxation. All it could do was request that the states give it the money necessary to run the government and wage the war. By 1780, with the outcome of the war still very much undecided, the central government had run out of money and was bankrupt! As a result the paper money it issued was basically worthless. Robert Morris, who became the Congress' superintendent of finance in 1781, forged a solution to this dire dilemma. Morris expanded existing government power and secured special privileges for the Bank of North America in an attempt to stabilize the value of the paper money issued by the Congress. His actions went beyond the limited powers granted to the national government by the Articles of Confederation, but he succeeded in limiting runaway inflation and resurrecting the fiscal stability of the national government. Did the Articles of Confederation have limited government?The Articles of Confederation comprised the United States' first constitution, lasting from 1776 until 1789. The Articles established a weak central government and placed most powers in the hands of the states.
How did the Articles of Confederation limit government?In order to protect states' rights, the Articles set strict limits on congressional authority. Under the Articles, the states, not Congress had the power to tax. Congress could raise money only by asking the states for funds, borrowing from foreign governments, and selling western lands.
Why was the Articles of Confederation so limited in power?The Articles placed most power in the hands of state governments. Government under the Articles lacked an executive or a judicial branch. The central government under the Articles of Confederation, composed of delegates chosen by state governments. Each state had one vote in the Congress, regardless of its population.
Why did the Articles of Confederation make the Federal government weak?With the passage of time, weaknesses in the Articles of Confederation became apparent; Congress commanded little respect and no support from state governments anxious to maintain their power. Congress could not raise funds, regulate trade, or conduct foreign policy without the voluntary agreement of the states.
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