Articles of Confederation :: American America History

Articles of ConfederationSoon after the Revolutionary War in America, a sore government was started when the Articles of Confederation (Articles) were adopted by the Continental Congress. The Articles set up a democratic government that gave the distinguishs the power to make their own laws and to enforce them. However, the Articles were ineffectual and failed to provide a strong government. During this Critical Period in the history of the United States, regionalism and anarchy were growing beca occasion of the following reasons. 1) The Continental Congress controlled public affairs but there was nothing in the Articles that gave Congress the power to enforce laws or unify the States. 2) There was no solid monetary system to delay that taxes would be paid or to protect commerce, both nationally and foreign trade. 3) The country lacked unity and strength because there was no leadership.The Articles were ineffective because Congress yet had the power to recommend actions to the S tates. It could not enforce its recommendations or laws. Each State had its own constitution, monetary system, and means to enforce the law. Each State had a stronger committal to the State laws and to the States own self interests than to the recommendations of Congress. Regionalism pitted one State against another, which decreased the sense of unity in the country. For example, when Congress recommended an impost, or duty, on imported goods, the State of Rhode Island voted to reject the idea because they felt it was unfair and was against the constitution of the State (Document A).The Articles failed to provide a solid monetary system to ensure that taxes would be paid or to protect commerce. Congress had no way to collect taxes to pay off pre-war debts. This led to chaos and anarchy when soldiers that hadnt been paid marched on Philadelphia, and Congress had to flee to Princeton raw(a) Jersey (Document C). Each State had its own money, but there was no national money system. Si nce the money had no value from state to state, the people began to use the barter system of trade. This reduced the amount of trade and importation of goods. There was very little economic progress and growth during this period even though the population was increasing. (Document B). Self interest of the States and of individuals added to the cause of the problems. For example, John Jay tried to create a treaty with Great Britain that would energise been bad for the merchants of the United States but it would have paid off the war debt.