Articles Of Confederation Strengths And Weaknesses

While the Articles of Confederation and the United States Constitution are both important documents in American History, one prevailed as our source of democracy for over two hundred years. The United States Constitution was composed to correct the failures of the Articles of Confederation. In this way, the strengths, weaknesses, and their effects on the United States government served as a precedent for the sovereign and independent government that the American citizens have today. Although the Articles of Confederation were imperfect, they did accomplish several important goals. This document was created on November 15, 1777 and made Congress the highest power of the nation. Additionally, it gave Congress the sole power to declare war. It also brought forth the Treaty of Paris, which ended the R evolutionary War and severed ties with Great Britain. The Articles of Confederation also passed the Land Ordinance of 1785, which made land in

Who would have more control? They decided that the whole nation had authority. This idea of "Separation of Powers" helped avoid one group having dominance. Sovereignty was to be divided between state and national governments. The delegates created a government with three branches, and idea inspired by the French philosopher Baron de Montesquieu. The Judicial, Executive, and Legislative branches would check and balance each other. The Judicial branch could now protect our rights and the Executive branch could enforce laws. Congress now had the power to create and impose taxes. The delegates also decided that a group of people appointed by each state would choose the leader of the executive branch. Each state received a certain number of votes in proportion to its population, as determined by the census. The framers called this the Electoral College. The delegates also determined how representation in Congress would