Americas First and Failed Attempt at Government: The Articles of Conferderation by https://padlet.com/496810/ffmghpk50su1 Pearl Torres ~ November 18th, 2016 ~ McGowen Period 5 en-us 2016-11-26 20:08:39 UTC 2025-09-28 20:15:20 UTC hello@padlet.com https://padlet-assets.s3.amazonaws.com/icons/Shakinghands.png Conclusion: Why the Articles Failed 496810 https://padlet.com/496810/ffmghpk50su1/wish/140062426 Overall the articles gave the states too much power and not enough to the central government. The power the central government did have was also unbalanced which led to the failure of the first American constitution. First of all congress had no power to tax and the states could refuse to give money even if congress requested it. This would lead to an economic downfall, the new nation couldn't pay their debts to the war or pay war veterans or fund public schools or fund any local or government needs. The lack of money also contributed to the unabolity to raise an army and the states also were not requiredto provide soilders and even when asked to they often refused. Without an army (after the continental army dissolved) the new nation had no ways to defend itself against foreign threats such as other countries or Native American attacks. The lack of an army made it hard to enforce treaties, we had no way to threaten or persuade other countries to keep their word and if we pressed to get things done the other nations could easily attack us with their militaries knowing we lacked one to defend ourselves with. Without a way to protect their governed the government was breaking their side of the social contract. Articles also lacked the balance of several branches. With only one branch the separation of government powers couldn't take place nor could checks and balances. With all the power in one branch and no other branches to keep the single branch in check (following laws themselves), a higher risk of tyranny was in place, although the government was so weak that wasn't the problem anyways. The central government was very weak, which was a huge problem. Congress couldn't enforce laws because it had no rights to do so, without a national court system local courts were the only ones taking cases so if someone found their case unfair they had nowhere to appeal to. The central government had almost no say so in how things were dealt with and no power to enforce how things should run. The articles had an overwhelming amount of problems, but every problem was derived from the fact that the central government lacked the power to run the nation.]]> 2016-11-27 23:48:20 UTC https://padlet.com/496810/ffmghpk50su1/wish/140062426 Article of Confederation weaknesses and Why 496810 https://padlet.com/496810/ffmghpk50su1/wish/140062445 ~Congress had no power to enforce treaties or laws.
If congress lacked the power to enforce laws or treaties they couldn'tprotect the colonies against unfair treatment or protect their rights. If congress had the power to raise an army they could better persuade foreign countries to follow their treaties or negotiations. If congresses power was increased and the stats was lessened so that they were equal then congress could better enforce laws.
~Congress couldn't raise an army
Without an army the colonies couldn't protect themselves from foreign threats. Congress could raise an army if they had the power to draft soldiers from the states. If congress had the power to tax they could offer pay to those willing to join an army.
~Congress lacked the power to tax.
Without the power to collect taxes congress couldn't pay the country's debts or other government or local needs. If power between the states and government were equalized congress could directly tax citizens. 
~There was only one branch of government.
With the only branch of government all the power that the government possessed was in that branch have and couldn't be spread out. Also if that branch made a mistake it would have no other branch to keep it in check. This problem could be solved if other branches were created.
~There was no national court system.
Without a national court system there was no chance for appeal after local cases were solved. There was no real judiciary power to help keep the government in check as well. The government could create a judicial branch to help keep the government in check and provide a place for appeal and major cases.
~The states could refuse the requests congress made.
This leads back to the unability to tax or raise an army, so the only way to raise money or an army was to request money or soilders from the states but the states could refuse congress so there was no protection for the states or money to fund the colonies and pay debts. Congress could gain the power to directly tax and draft or provide for an army that way they wouldn't need the states permission and could gather the things they needed to run the nation.]]> 2016-11-27 23:48:37 UTC https://padlet.com/496810/ffmghpk50su1/wish/140062445 Article of Confederation strengths and Why 496810 https://padlet.com/496810/ffmghpk50su1/wish/140062462 ~Each state was represented with one vote in congress each.
Each state had a voice in their government about how they thought things should be done. This kept things equal among states and prevented tyranny.
~Congress could make treaties with foreign countries and native Americans.
Being able to negotiate with other countries is important to establish bonds and peace, and to prevent attacks, and in case of attacks to have allies. It was also important to keep peace with the Native Americans who lived so near by to try to preserve peace, prevent attacks and establish land rights
~Congress could settle conflicts among states
This was an important power because it helped keep the new nation united. If the states fought among themselves with no one to solve their issues eventually a civil war would break out.
~Congress could issue coins.
It was important that congress be the ones printing coins because if each state ha their own form of currency the states would be even  ore divided. It would also be chaotic for the central government to keep track of the different forms of currency in each state or for states to sell, exchange or trade amongst themselves.
~Congress could request solders and money from the states.
Although it wasn't a very effective strength is still gave the government some means to collect money or soldiers. Although it barely helped congress raise the money and soldiers it needed to keep the country stable it provided some sort of way to help contribute if the states were generous enough to help.
]]> 2016-11-27 23:48:53 UTC https://padlet.com/496810/ffmghpk50su1/wish/140062462 496810 https://padlet.com/496810/ffmghpk50su1/wish/140376132 2016-11-29 01:25:25 UTC https://padlet.com/496810/ffmghpk50su1/wish/140376132 496810 https://padlet.com/496810/ffmghpk50su1/wish/140376315 2016-11-29 01:27:02 UTC https://padlet.com/496810/ffmghpk50su1/wish/140376315 496810 https://padlet.com/496810/ffmghpk50su1/wish/140376722 2016-11-29 01:30:08 UTC https://padlet.com/496810/ffmghpk50su1/wish/140376722 496810 https://padlet.com/496810/ffmghpk50su1/wish/140378138 2016-11-29 01:42:29 UTC https://padlet.com/496810/ffmghpk50su1/wish/140378138