Should The Articles Of Confederation Be Considered A Success

Should The Articles Of Confederation Be Considered A Success Or A Fail

Should the Articles of Confederation be considered a success or a failure? Explain WHY. Was the shift from the Articles of Confederation to the Constitution necessary? WHY? Explain using specific examples to make your argument and be clear on which document you are discussing (the Articles or Constitution) when offering illustrations and facts that support your ideas and, as always, be sure to include citations for everything. * approximately words in length.

In evaluating whether the Articles of Confederation should be regarded as a success or a failure, it is crucial to analyze its historical context, strengths, and shortcomings. The Articles of Confederation, ratified in 1781, served as the first constitution of the United States and aimed to unify the newly independent colonies into a cohesive nation (Shi, 2018). While it successfully established a framework for the colonies to cooperate during the Revolutionary War, it ultimately proved inadequate for governing a growing and economically diverse nation, thereby marking it more as a failure than a success.

The Articles of Confederation's successes lay in its role in uniting the colonies during the Revolutionary War and providing a foundation for future government. It created a sense of shared purpose and facilitated coordination among states during the fight for independence. Additionally, it enacted major land policies, such as the Northwest Ordinance of 1787, which laid the groundwork for westward expansion and the future admission of new states (Shi, 2018). These achievements demonstrate that the Articles had some positive impacts in forging a collective American identity and establishing early territorial governance.

However, the Articles' failures are more prominent and significant. The central government under the Articles lacked the power to tax, regulate interstate commerce, or enforce laws, which severely limited its effectiveness (Shays's Rebellion, 1786-1787). Unable to raise revenue or maintain order, the government was financially weak and unable to address internal unrest or economic instability. For instance, Shays's Rebellion, a protest by farmers in 1786-1787, underscored the fragility of the federal government, as it could not muster a military response to suppress the uprising, revealing the critical need for a stronger central authority (Shi, 2018). These deficiencies highlight how the Articles fell short of establishing a sustainable and functional national government capable of unifying the states and managing collective interests.

The shift from the Articles of Confederation to the Constitution was undeniably necessary. The weaknesses exposed by the Articles' inability to regulate commerce, impose taxes, or maintain national security made clear that a more robust federal government was essential for the country's stability and growth. The Constitutional Convention of 1787 was convened precisely to address these deficiencies and create a new governing framework. The resulting Constitution introduced a system of checks and balances, a bicameral legislature, and the authority to levy taxes and regulate interstate commerce, providing the tools needed for a functioning and effective national government (Shi, 2018).

For example, unlike the Articles, which required unanimous approval for amendments and grants limited powers to the federal government, the Constitution provided a legal structure capable of adapting to changing circumstances through amendments and evolving governance (Shi, 2018). This transition was crucial because it allowed for the development of a stable economy, national defense, and civil rights protections, which the Articles could not sustain. Without this shift, the United States risked stagnation or disintegration into separate, uncooperative states.

In conclusion, while the Articles of Confederation had noteworthy achievements, particularly in uniting the colonies and establishing territorial governance, its inherent structural flaws rendered it more of a failure in terms of effective national governance. The necessity of transitioning to the Constitution was driven by the need to create a stronger federal authority capable of managing a growing nation, ensuring stability, security, and economic development. The move to the Constitution was, therefore, a critical step in establishing the political framework that has supported the United States' development into a global power.

References

• Shi, D. (2018). America, The Essential Learning Edition with Access Code (2nd ed.). W. W. Norton & Co.
• The Articles of Confederation: A New Federal Constitution (1787)
• Shays's Rebellion (1786-1787). (2018). In Shi, D. (Ed.), America, The Essential Learning Edition (pp. 178-179). W. W. Norton & Co.