1.4 Challenges of the Articles of Confederation

• What was the Articles of Confederation?

  First government of U.S.
• Under the Articles of Confederation, states retained significant independence and powers
• The Articles of Confederation included an executive branch.

  False
• What type of consent was required to amend the Articles of Confederation?

  Unanimous
• The Articles of Confederation led directly to the Constitutional Convention of 1787.
• Match the feature with the correct government structure:

  Weak central government ↔️ Articles of Confederation

  Strong executive branch ↔️ U.S. Constitution
• What type of legislative body was established under the Articles of Confederation?

  Unicameral
• The absence of a judicial branch under the Articles of Confederation left disputes between states unresolved
• Match the branch with its description under the Articles of Confederation:

  Legislative ↔️ Unicameral Congress

  Executive ↔️ No executive branch

  Judicial ↔️ No judicial branch
• Why was the central government under the Articles of Confederation intentionally weak?

  Avoid centralized power
• The Articles of Confederation allowed Congress to directly tax citizens.

  False
• The lack of federal control over commerce under the Articles led to economic instability
• Order the following economic challenges faced under the Articles of Confederation:

  1️⃣ National debt

  2️⃣ Lack of uniform currency

  3️⃣ Trade barriers
• Why did the government under the Articles struggle to pay off debts from the Revolutionary War?

  No power to tax
• The issuance of different currencies by each state created confusion in financial transactions
• States imposing tariffs on goods from other states under the Articles reduced overall economic activity.
• What economic challenges did the Articles of Confederation face due to its weak central government?

  National debt, lack of currency, trade barriers
• The government struggled to pay off debts because it lacked the power to tax
• Each state under the Articles of Confederation issued its own currency, complicating trade and financial transactions.
• How did trade barriers imposed by states affect the economy under the Articles of Confederation?

  Reduced economic activity and growth
• Match the economic challenge with its impact under the Articles of Confederation:

  National Debt ↔️ Financial instability and loss of credibility

  Lack of Uniform Currency ↔️ Complicated trade and confusion

  Trade Barriers ↔️ Reduced economic activity
• What was the main goal of the Articles of Confederation in terms of central authority?

  To avoid centralized power
• The Articles of Confederation established a weak central government with limited authority to enforce laws or collect taxes
• States under the Articles of Confederation retained significant independence and powers, reflecting the principle of state sovereignty.
• What powers did Congress lack under the Articles of Confederation regarding taxation and commerce?

  To tax directly or regulate commerce
• Under the Articles of Confederation, there was no executive or judicial branch
• The Articles of Confederation required unanimous consent from all states to amend, making changes extremely difficult.
• What type of central government did the Articles of Confederation establish?

  Weak central government
• Under the Articles of Confederation, there was no executive branch
• Order the events leading to the adoption of the U.S. Constitution:

  1️⃣ Articles of Confederation adopted

  2️⃣ Economic instability and trade conflicts arise

  3️⃣ Shays' Rebellion highlights weaknesses

  4️⃣ Constitutional Convention called

  5️⃣ U.S. Constitution ratified
• What type of legislative body did the Articles of Confederation create?

  Unicameral Congress
• The absence of an executive branch under the Articles meant there was no leader to enforce laws
• The lack of a judicial branch under the Articles of Confederation left disputes between states unresolved.
• How did the legislative branch differ under the Articles of Confederation and the U.S. Constitution?

  Unicameral versus bicameral
• The lack of power to tax under the Articles led to inadequate financial resources and a growing national debt
• The absence of regulated commerce under the Articles allowed states to impose tariffs, hindering interstate trade.
• Why did the Articles' lack of an executive branch lead to ineffective law enforcement?

  No single leader to enforce laws
• The absence of a national judiciary under the Articles made it impossible to resolve disputes between states
• The unanimous amendment process under the Articles made it difficult to adapt or address emerging problems.
• How did the national debt under the Articles of Confederation affect international credibility?

  Damaged international credibility