Articles Of Confederation Dbq Analysis

analytical Essay

841 words

During and after the turmoil of the American Revolution, the people of America, both the rich and the poor, the powerful and the meek, strove to create a new system of government that would guide them during their unsure beginning. This first structure was called the Articles of Confederation, but it was ineffective, restricted, and weak. It was decided to create a new structure to guide the country. However, before a new constitution could be agreed upon, many aspects of life in America would have to be considered. The foremost apprehensions many Americans had concerning this new federal system included fear of the government limiting or endangering their inalienable rights, concern that the government’s power would be unbalanced, both within …show more content…

In this essay, the author

Explains that the people of america strove to create a new system of government that would guide them during their unsure beginning.
Analyzes how america's first attempt at confederacy led to confusion, arguments, and divisions between states and especially between social classes. the inadequacies of the articles made it clear that it was time for a new, united, federal government
Analyzes how the constitution was drafted and sent to the states for ratification, but there were still criticisms and alterations to be made.
Explains that the constitution was not perfect, but it held promise as a sturdy structure upon which to build the country.
Analyzes how the american revolution caused confusion and feared for the outcome of their newfound country. instead of struggling with patchy, inadequate government, the americans took on the arduous task of building a new king of government.

Many complaints focused on the lack of a bill of rights in the Constitution, stating the inalienable rights of an American citizen. In Thomas Jefferson’s Jefferson Writings (Doc. C), he states that no government is entitled to omit such an important part of a country’s makeup. The reason a constitution is made is to protect the rights the people fought for during the Revolution, not limit them. Another concern is the balance of power between social classes and the governmental branches, which was a big issue with the Articles of Confederation. Even with checks in place so no branch of government could become to powerful, there was always a risk. In the “Brutus” and “John DeWitt” papers (Doc. D) it states that this unbalance of power could lead, disastrously, to one group dominating over all others, most likely the aristocrats. Some people, such as Patrick Henry during his Speech to Virginia State Constitutional Ratification Convention (Doc. F) even became heatedly anti-federalist, stating that the Constitution endangered to sovereignty of the states entirely. But even with these various concerns and arguments, the Constitution was ratified by all thirteen states in

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Democracy In The 19th Century
analytical essay
During the construction of the new Constitution, many of the most prominent and experienced political members of America’s society provided a framework on the future of the new country; they had in mind, because of the failures of the Articles of Confederation, a new kind of government where the national or Federal government would be the sovereign power, not the states. Because of the increased power of the national government over the individual states, many Americans feared it would hinder their ability to exercise their individual freedoms. Assuring the people, both Alexander Hamilton and James Madison insisted the new government under the constitution was “an expression of freedom, not its enemy,” declaring “the Constitution made political tyranny almost impossible.” (Foner, pg. 227) The checks and balances introduced under the new and more powerful national government would not allow the tyranny caused by a king under the Parliament system in Britain. They insisted that in order achieve a greater amount of freedom, a national government was needed to avoid the civil unrest during the system under the Articles of Confederation. Claiming that the new national government would be a “perfect balance between liberty and power,” it would avoid the disruption that liberty [civil unrest] and power [king’s abuse of power in England] caused. The “lackluster leadership” of the critics of the new constitution claimed that a large land area such as America could not work for such a diverse nation.
In this essay, the author
- Explains that andrew jackson, the 7th president of the united states, was inaugurated in 1829 and was best known as the person who mainstreamed democracy.
- Explains that the new constitution was an expression of freedom, not its enemy. the new government would not allow the tyranny caused by a king in britain.
- Analyzes how george washington, the first president under the newly created united states, promoted the general welfare of the people to create a society based on individual freedom.
- Analyzes how jackson's presidency deviated from the original documents set by preceding presidents and the constitution.
- Explains that thomas jefferson promoted the general welfare of the people and helped them prosper with the help of a new, more powerful government.
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The Progression From The Articles of Confederation to The Constitution As a Result of Anti-Federalist, and Federalist Debate
analytical essay
Looking back in history (1781-1787) at the debate over ratification of the Constitution we can see that the making of the constitution was a long drawn out battle between the federalists and the Anti-Federalists. There were concerns as to the inherent weaknesses of the Articles of Confederation, such as the lack of action during Shay’s Rebellion, the issue over taxation, as well as the problematic consensus required by all states to change any one of the Articles. There was a fear that if given too much power the executive leader would become like the king they had just fought a revolution to free themselves from. This fear of giving too much power to a centralized government was what made the Articles so weak. The purpose of this paper is to examine the two sides of the debate of constitutional ratification, The Federalists (and the Federalist papers) as well as the Anti-Federalists (and the Anti-Federalist Papers) and look at their influence on the Constitution. By comparing the essentials of The Constitution as well as The Articles of Confederation we will be able to see the differences between the two. These differences will show us not only the weaknesses of the Articles but the strength of the new constitution. A second objective, where possible make what “if” statements as to what would have happened if the Articles were not replaced, and the Constitution was not written.
In this essay, the author
- Explains that the making of the constitution was a long drawn out battle between the federalists and the anti-federalists.
- Explains the political consensus to work together as a collection, rather than as individual states, was agreed on after the american revolution.
- Explains that the 13 issues addressed in the articles are of great value to understand before we look at the two sides.
- Explains that the constitution was a combination of two plans, the connecticut compromise, and the new jersey plan.
- Explains the compromises that were admitted into the constitution and was necessary from the articles.
- Analyzes hamilton's argument that congress had no power to collect taxes, compared to the ottoman or turkish empire.
- Explains that the articles did not allow for a centralized government that could act in time of crisis. shay's rebellion was an example of this.
- Opines that the articles allowed congress to declare war and raise funds, but they could not conscript, draft, or in any way force individuals to fight in the army.
- Opines that the federalist side was the driving force that moved these events forwards, but the anti-federalists were the ones that won the debate.
- Explains that the anti-federalists were opposed to a stronger federal government because it took power away from states and local leaders and gave most of the power to federal governments.
- Explains that the federalists are the driving force for the ratification of the constitution. they based their ideas on federalism.
- Analyzes how the articles allowed each state more power than that of the congress assembled (sovereignty of article ii).
- Analyzes how the changes from the articles of confederation to the constitution have been for the better.
- Opines that it was crucial that the documents change during the history of the united states. the federalists made valid points about the threat of executive leadership.
- Analyzes hamilton, alexander, james madison, john jay, and clinton rossiter's the federalist papers.
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Articles Of Confederation Dbq Essay
analytical essay
It was the mid-late 1700s, and America had finally achieved and received independence from Great Britain. Peace in America on the other hand, not so much. After gaining independence, the Articles of Confederation were made as a system of government for the United States, but gave very imbalanced power between federal and state levels. For example, on the federal level, the national government couldn't force a state to pay taxes. To try to amend the Articles, in 1787, a meeting made up of delegates representing the states was called up, but instead, what would be created is what we now know as the Constitution. But how exactly did this document remedy the flaws of the Articles, and prevent tyranny from unjust amounts and usage of power? The Constitution helped stop tyranny in government with a
In this essay, the author
- Analyzes how the constitution helped stop tyranny in government with a unique, new system of government inspired by enlightenment figures of the time.
- Explains that federalism meant division of power between a national and state level of government. both would share powers and have their own powers separate from the other entity.
- Describes the three branches of government to prevent tyranny. the legislative, executive, and judicial branches would make laws for the country and deal with foreign affairs.
- Explains that while divided, these powers would need to balance each other out to be equal. the legislative branch could check the judicial and executive, and vice versa.
- Explains that larger states like virginia were creating an unfair amount of power for themselves that the small states didn’t have. in the new government, congress was created to make laws and was made up of the house of representatives and the senate.
- Explains that the new government created by the constitution was a good answer to protect against tyranny.
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American Revolution and its Aftermath
analytical essay
The American Revolution stirred political unity and motivated the need for change in the nation. Because many Americans fought for a more balanced government in the Revolutionary War, they initially created a weak national government that hampered the country's growth and expansion. In the Letter from Abigail Adams to Thomas Jefferson, Mrs. Adams complained about the inadequacy of power that the American government had to regulate domestic affairs. The Articles of Confederation was created to be weak because many had feared a similar governing experience that they had just eliminated with Britain. The alliance of states united the 13 local governments but lacked power to deal with important issues or to regulate diplomatic affairs. Congress did not have the power to tax, regulate trade, or draft people for war. This put the American citizens at stake because States had the power to refuse requests for taxes and troops (Document G). The weakened national government could not do anything about uprisings or small-scale protests because it did not have the power to put together an army. The deficiencies of the confederation government inspired the drafting of the American Constitution. The document itself embodied the principle of a national government prepared to deal with the nation's problems. In James Madison's Federalist Paper, he persuades the American public to adopt the Constitution so that the government can protect humans from their nature and keep them out of conflicts.
In this essay, the author
- Explains that the american revolution marked the divorce of the british empire and one of america's most valued colonies. the ideals that motivated the people to fight for freedom continued to influence american society well beyond the colonial period.
- Analyzes how the american revolution stirred political unity and motivated the need for change in the nation.
- Analyzes how the depiction of a farmer plowing fields shows the strong will of the american economy to stay strong and independent.
- Analyzes how the social effects of the american revolution can be examined through groups of women, slaves and native americans.
- Explains that the american revolution laid the foundation for america and its years to come. the shift in focus from the state to national government stabilized the nation and prompted economic development.
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Alien And Sedition Acts
analytical essay
The making of the Constitution not only developed rules of America, but it also developed a small tear in society’s views and if not mended would begin to rip. There were two different interpretations that were dominant in the viewing of the Constitution: Federalists had a loose interpretation that believed in implied powers, and Anti-Federalists believed that the powers not in the Constitution belong to the states. Even before the development of the Constitution, these two parties were bickering about whether the National government had too much power or too little and it carried through; Federalists still believed in a weak central government with emphasis on individual rights where as the Anti-Federalists saw the national government as too week. These two views were breaking farther apart with each step America took and lead to many controversies in the years to come.
In this essay, the author
- Analyzes how the debates over the alien and sedition acts of 1798 revealed bitter controversies on a number of issues that existed since the making of the constitution.
- Explains that the making of the constitution developed rules of america, and developed a small tear in society's views. federalists and anti-federalists were bickering about whether the national government had too much power or too little.
- Explains that some states could afford to pay off their debts with ease, while others didn't. some believed that the nation should consolidate the debt in the hands of the national government.
- Explains that james madison strictly prohibited the development of a national bank. jefferson, who agreed with madison, dug into the constitution and pulled out from section 8.
- Analyzes how hamilton proposed to congress that they should emphasize on the united states' industries. although it seemed beneficial to hamilton, not everyone concurred.
- Explains that even though the war had been resolved with europe, there were still conflicts with the trading system.
- Explains that democratic-republicans were not the only ones disturbed by the jay treaty; france also became infuriated at the negotiation.
- Analyzes how the federalists devised the alien and sedition acts to eliminate the democratic-republicans, which fueled up anger in democrats.
- Analyzes how the federalists and anti-federalists had opposing views on the alien and sedition acts dating back to the making of the constitution.
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The Threat of the Constitution
analytical essay
To the opponents of the Constitution, many warning signs of potential despotism were visible in the proposed government -- the sole power of taxation, the lack of protection of freedoms, the formation of a large military force, the dissolving of states' powers, and above all, the concentration of powers in the hands of a few. It is this last issue that seemed to be of greatest concern to the anti-Federalists, and logically so, because all other powers and laws prescribed by the Constitution were to be interpreted and e...
In this essay, the author
- Explains that the fundamental point of contention between the federalists and anti-federalists in their debates over ratification of the constitution surrounded the question of what powers were necessary for national security and economic prosperity.
- Analyzes how the anti-federalists feared an oppressive form of government, rather than a popular, democratic one, because of the centralization of power.
- Analyzes how the correlation between the potential abuse of power and the rich, intellectual and aristocratic class of americans led to the suspicious perception of government by the anti-federalists.
- Argues that the anti-federalists' concerns about the potential abuses of power were not unfounded, paranoid delusions; they were based in the reality of the constitution.
- Analyzes how article i created a bicameral congress that possessed "all legislative powers" and allowed congress to "make all laws which shall be necessary and proper for carrying into execution."
- Argues that the senate's power over the house of representatives is an easy counterargument to the anti-federalists' idea of an oppressive aristocracy.
- Analyzes how the lack of popular elections undermined the possibility of creating a truly representative government by taking the power of choice away from the people.
- Analyzes how the size of the new nation, in terms of proper representation, was of prime importance to the anti-federalists, who believed that extending the nation would make it impractical for the majority of citizens to assert their political power.
- Analyzes how the anti-federalist pen-named "brutus" shows how successful small republics are compared to large ones in matters of maintaining the freedom of its citizens.
- Opines that history furnishes no example of a free republic, anything like the extent of the united states.
- Analyzes how monesquieu's view is supported by brutus' argument for a democratic form of government in terms of representation and consent.
- Analyzes how madison's philosophy of how to secure and maintain power in a large republic adds support to the anti-federalists arguments and fears surrounding the undemocratic nature of the constitution.
- Analyzes how madison's rationalization undermined the political power of the people, but the fear of majority and political factions was not without practical justification on the part of framers.
- Explains that the anti-federalists believed that political representatives needed to act as a mirror of the american people, their values, and their desires.
- Analyzes how the anti-federalists were suspicious of the secrecy surrounding the constitutional convention and held serious doubts about the individual or collective interests involved in forming the government.
- Opines that a bill of rights was added to the constitution, but such fundamental protections were absent from the original document and reluctantly added later by madison.
- Analyzes how the anti-federalists saw parallels between the revolution and the potential for the abuse of power under the constitution.
- Explains that the colonists had experienced the power of democracy in their towns and states, and to take away this newly discovered power was seen as a mortal threat to their liberty.
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Aristotle's Legacy in the Federalist Papers
analytical essay
In 1789, the Confederation of the United States, faced with the very real threat of dissolution, found a renewed future with the ratification of the Constitution of the United States. This document created a structure upon which the citizens could build a future free of the unwanted pitfalls and hazards of tyrannies, dictatorship, or monarchies, while securing the best possible prospects for a good life. However, before the establishment of the new United States government, there was a period of dissent over the need for a strong centralized government. Furthermore, there was some belief that the new constitution failed to provide adequate protection for small businessmen and farmers and even less clear protection for fundamental human rights.
In this essay, the author
- Analyzes aristotle's views on the virtue of rule of a state by the many as opposed to the few or the one.
- Analyzes how hamilton and madison outlined the establishment of the legislative body upon which the united states government is based. what better example of aristotle's thoughts on the subject of democratic government than the existence of a society that embraces his teachings
- Analyzes how hamilton and madison explain the necessity for allowing the people to elect their representatives, accepting that not all men are capable of fulfilling the responsibilities inherent in public office.
- Explains that aristotle maintains that the best ruler is one who has been ruled. the process of election, according to the federalist papers, states the office should be made available to any citizen, except on the basis of being twenty-five years of age or older.
- Argues that the federalist papers owe their existence, in terms of their intellectual underpinnings, to the writings of aristotle.
- Analyzes how the federalist papers mirror aristotle's assessment that rule of the many eliminates or lessens the risk of corruption.
- Cites jay, john, hamilton, alexander, and james madison's "federalist papers: the house of representatives."
- Cites hamilton, alexander and james madison's "federalist papers: the structure of the government must furnish the proper checks and balances between the different departments."
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Anti-Federalist vs Federalist
analytical essay
After winning the Revolutionary War and sovereign control of their home country from the British, Americans now had to deal with a new authoritative issue: who was to rule at home? In the wake of this massive authoritative usurpation, there were two primary views of how the new American government should function. Whereas part of the nation believed that a strong, central government would be the most beneficial for the preservation of the Union, others saw a Confederation of sovereign state governments as an option more supportive of the liberties American’s fought so hard for in the Revolution. Those in favor of a central government, the Federalists, thought this form of government was necessary to ensure national stability, unity and influence concerning foreign perception. Contrastingly, Anti-Federalists saw this stronger form of government as potentially oppressive and eerily similar to the authority’s tendencies of the British government they had just fought to remove. However, through the final ratification of the Constitution, new laws favoring state’s rights and the election at the turn of the century, one can say that the Anti-Federalist view of America prevails despite making some concessions in an effort to preserve the Union.
In this essay, the author
- Explains that americans were faced with a new authoritative issue after winning the revolutionary war and sovereign control of their home country from the british.
- Explains that a strong central government was necessary to provide uniform supervision to the states thus aiding in the preservation of the union.
- Explains that anti-federalists were fearful of an authoritative, central government as well as the potential for this government to abuse their privileges of state control.
- Analyzes how federalist manifestations within the american system imposed impartial political agendas onto the states in an attempt to solidify the union's identity.
- Analyzes how anti-federalist laws counteracted many federalist laws before them. they criticized the constitutionality of the alien & sedition acts as an attack on human rights.
- Argues that the anti-federalist view prevails over the federalist view in the constitution. the bill of rights provides american citizens with freedoms of speech, religion, press, assembly and petition grievances against the government.
- Analyzes how the eleventh amendment of the constituion addresses state sovereignty by preventing federal intervention between states and citizens. jefferson's victory over adams in the 1800 election demonstrates the contingency of factions within the nation.
- Argues that anti-federalism sets the stage for the human freedoms that america adopts as its signature characteristics.
- Analyzes bradburn's book, "a clamor in the public mind: the opposition to the alien and sedition acts."
- Explains taylor, alan, "from fathers to friends of the people: political personas in the early republic."
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Analyzing the Articles of Confederation
explanatory essay
Yes, the Constitutional Convention of 1787 was essential to preserve the Union, as the Articles of Confederation did a meager job establishing a stable America. Only a handful of people from the entire nation were pleased with the issues addressed in the Articles of Confederation. This document didn’t unite the nation, but created more differences among the people. The Articles of Confederation failed to properly allocate power between Congress and the states, giving the states supreme control, rather than Congress. This unbalance in society left each individual state on their own, besides the alliances they could form within each other (creating even more rifts within the country). The Congress didn’t hold the power to tax or create a national military, navy, and army, which didn’t allow America to strengthen as a nation. By vesting these powers in the state, the Articles of Confederation technically created thirteen small countries. After the Revolution, the United States became even more susceptible to foreign invaders and if a minute state militia was responsible for warding off these trespassers, the state would be easily attacked. This is just once consequence that could have occurred, if the Constitution of 1787 wasn’t accepted.
In this essay, the author
- Opines that the constitutional convention of 1787 was essential to preserve the union, as the articles of confederation didn't unite the nation, but created more differences among the people.
- Explains that the constitution bestowed essential powers to the nation, without which, america would crumble. it managed the power of people, states, and government well compared the articles of confederation.
- Explains that representation was an important issue to the delegates at the constitutional convention of 1787, since america consisted of large and small states.
- Explains how the electoral college was created to voice the people's opinion and maintain distance from mob rule. the southern states wanted the slave population to have a say, while the northern states were dead against counting something bought as property.
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Drafting the Constitution
analytical essay
By the late eighteenth century, America found itself independent from England; which was a welcomed change, but also brought with it, its own set of challenges. The newly formed National Government was acting under the Articles of Confederation, which established a “firm league of friendship” between the states, but did not give adequate power to run the country. To ensure the young nation could continue independently, Congress called for a Federal Convention to convene in Philadelphia to address the deficiencies in the Articles of Confederation. While the Congress only authorized the convention to revise and amend the Articles the delegates quickly set out to develop a whole new Constitution for the country. Unlike the Articles of Confederation, the new Constitution called for a national Executive, which was strongly debated by the delegates. There were forces on both sides of the issue trying to shape the office to meet their ideology. The Federalists, who sought a strong central government, favored a strong National Executive which they believed would ensure the country’s safety from both internal and external threats. The Anti Federalists preferred to have more power in the hands of the states, and therefore tried to weaken the national Executive. Throughout the convention and even after, during the ratification debates, there was a fear, by some, that the newly created office of the president would be too powerful and lean too much toward monarchy.
In this essay, the author
- Explains that america's independence from england was a welcomed change, but also brought with it, its own set of challenges. the federal convention convened in philadelphia to address the deficiencies in the articles of confederation.
- Explains that the idea of a national executive was first proposed by edmund randolph, governor of virginia, during his opening speech of the convention.
- Explains that the idea of a single executive met with opposition due to conjuring images of their former oppression under british rule.
- Explains how the delegates voted to have the executive appointed for seven years by the legislature.
- Explains that the executive would be ineligible after one term. there were other suggestions during the early debates on the issue.
- Explains that the executive was appointed by the national legislature for a single seven-year term and discussed the issue of an absolute negative on the laws.
- Analyzes how the delegates were stuck in a "circular" debate about the office of the executive.
- Explains that while the framers of the constitution could not see into the future, it was well known that george washington, "perhaps the single most influential human being" in the country, would be the first president
- Explains that after the federal convention, the newly drafted constitution was to be ratified by the states which ignited a new round of debates, which unlike the convention, would be open to the public.
- Analyzes how cato v, a writer against the constitution, uses his pseudonym "publius" to call upon the people's fear of an oppressive monarchy.
- Analyzes how george mason made his objections about the presidency known, one of which was his concern over the president's power to pardon.
- Explains the anti-federalists' dislike of the "four year term with indefinite re-eligibility." the four-year term protected the office from becoming a monarchy.
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