describe the Articles of confederation and explain why it needed to be replaced
The Articles of Confederation was the first constitution of the United States of America, ratified by the Continental Congress on November 15, 1777. The document established a loose confederation of states, with a weak central government and limited powers, including the inability to levy taxes or regulate commerce.
Under the Articles of Confederation, each state retained its sovereignty, freedom, and independence, while agreeing to work together on certain issues such as defense and foreign relations. However, the weaknesses of the Articles of Confederation soon became apparent, and the need for a stronger central government became evident.
The central government under the Articles of Confederation lacked the power to enforce laws, regulate trade, and raise funds for public services. Additionally, the requirement of unanimous consent among the states for amending the Articles made it difficult to make changes to the system. The lack of a national judiciary also led to issues with the enforcement of contracts and the resolution of disputes between states.
Furthermore, the inability of the central government to levy taxes resulted in financial difficulties, leading to inflation and an inability to pay off the national debt incurred during the Revolutionary War. This weakness also prevented the government from providing essential services such as a standing army or a navy.
These shortcomings and others led to calls for a stronger central government, which eventually resulted in the drafting of the United States Constitution in 1787. The Constitution established a stronger central government with more extensive powers, including the ability to levy taxes, regulate commerce, and create a national judiciary. The Constitution replaced the Articles of Confederation, which had proven inadequate for the needs of the young nation.