An Overview of The Impact of The Articles of Confederation

An Overview of The Impact of The Articles of Confederation

The Articles of Confederation caused numerous problems affecting the government. The Constitution was an article later written to address these issues. The Constitution solved many of the problems caused by the Articles of Confederation, particularly in the effective running of the federal government.

The Shift of Power to the Federal Government

Under the Constitution, the federal government had more power than under the Articles of Confederation. The Constitution assigned more specific roles to the federal government compared to the Articles of Confederation. The amount of responsibilities assigned by the Constitution was staggering compared to the Articles of Confederation. This reallocation of responsibilities enabled the federal government to achieve more power and effectiveness.

Under the Articles of Confederation, the country lacked a strong federal government because too much power was distributed to the state governments and not enough to the federal. For example, during the critical period, as depicted in a contemporary cartoon, Congress was placed in the back of the canoe, barking out orders to no avail, as the states were each rowing in their own direction, neither listening nor cooperating. As clarified in the Constitution through the creation of the executive branch, a strong leader is essential to the success of the federal government running smoothly. Alexander Hamilton, in The Federalist Papers No. 70, explained that “energy in the Executive is a leading character in the definition of good government” (Hamilton, 1788). The Constitution successfully solved one of the numerous problems caused by the Articles of Confederation by creating an executive branch.

Resolving State and Federal Responsibilities

The Articles of Confederation caused problems regarding the distribution of power and responsibilities between the states. For instance, under the Articles of Confederation, states were responsible for their own militias. Under the Constitution, it was ensured that they would be united in times of war. Additionally, the Articles of Confederation assigned the job of money printing to the states, making each one seem independent. The Constitution unified the states under a single form of currency. This unity under the Constitution helped the states to be seen as a cohesive whole rather than as independent entities.

Conclusion

Thanks to the Constitution, many problems created by the Articles of Confederation have been resolved. Powers, roles, and responsibilities are now shared more equitably between the federal and state governments. As a result, the United States can now be seen as a unified nation rather than as 13 disparate entities. The transition from the Articles of Confederation to the Constitution marked a significant turning point in American governance, setting the stage for a more centralized and effective federal system.

References

• Hamilton, A. (1788). The Federalist No. 70. In The Federalist Papers. Retrieved from [Insert URL or source here]