The ARTICLES of CONFEDERATION, Explained [AP Government Foundational Documents]

Summary

In this video, Heimler explains the Articles of Confederation, the first constitution of the United States, which established a weak central government and emphasized state sovereignty. The document created a unicameral Congress with equal representation for all states, but limited powers, including no ability to raise a national army or declare war without a supermajority. The Articles also made it difficult to amend, requiring unanimous approval from all 13 states. While it addressed immediate governance needs, its limitations led to the drafting of the U.S. Constitution in 1787.

Takeaways

• 😀 The Articles of Confederation were the first constitution of the United States, created after independence from Britain.
• 😀 The Articles established a confederation, meaning most power was retained by the individual states, with limited power granted to the central government.
• 😀 The central government under the Articles consisted of a single legislative branch, with no executive or judicial branches.
• 😀 Representation in the federal Congress was equal for all states, regardless of their size or population.
• 😀 States retained full sovereignty, freedom, and independence unless explicitly delegated to the central government.
• 😀 The central government was too weak to handle important national issues, such as raising a national army or conducting foreign diplomacy.
• 😀 The Articles required unanimous consent from all 13 states to amend, making it nearly impossible to adapt or fix the system.
• 😀 Key federal powers were very limited: Congress could only resolve disputes between states, regulate weights and measures, and appoint committees.
• 😀 Major decisions, such as declaring war, required approval from a supermajority of nine out of thirteen states, making it difficult to act decisively.
• 😀 The inability to change or strengthen the Articles contributed to their failure and led to the Constitutional Convention of 1787, where a new U.S. Constitution was drafted.

Q & A

What were the Articles of Confederation?

The Articles of Confederation was the first constitution of the United States, created after the country declared independence from Britain. It established a framework for the government but placed most of the power in the hands of the individual states rather than the central government.

Why is the word 'confederation' important in the context of the Articles?

'Confederation' refers to a form of government in which several independent states or entities unite for a common purpose but retain their individual powers. In the Articles of Confederation, it signifies that the states maintained sovereignty and independence while cooperating on specific matters.

How did the Articles of Confederation limit the power of the federal government?

The Articles of Confederation gave the majority of the power to the states, and the federal government had limited authority. For instance, the central government had no executive branch (no president), no federal courts, and was unable to raise taxes or maintain a national army.

What was stated in Article 2 of the Articles of Confederation?

Article 2 declared that each state retains its sovereignty, freedom, and independence unless explicitly delegated to the United States in Congress. This reinforced the idea that the states held supreme power over the central government.

What was the structure of the federal government under the Articles of Confederation?

Under the Articles, the federal government consisted only of a legislative branch, specifically a unicameral Congress. There was no president or national judiciary.

How was representation in Congress structured under the Articles of Confederation?

Each state had one vote in Congress, regardless of the state's size or population. This meant that small states like New Hampshire had the same voting power as large states like Virginia.

Why was a centralized government needed under the Articles of Confederation?

A centralized government was necessary for conducting diplomacy and international relations. For example, Article 6 restricted states from sending ambassadors or making treaties without the consent of Congress.

What was the role of the military under the Articles of Confederation?

The Articles did not allow the central government to raise a national army. Instead, each state was responsible for maintaining its own well-regulated militia and providing arms, ammunition, and other military equipment.

What major challenge did the Articles of Confederation face in terms of decision-making?

The Articles required a supermajority of nine out of thirteen states to approve major decisions, such as declaring war. This made it extremely difficult to pass important legislation or take action when needed.

What made amending the Articles of Confederation so difficult?

Article 13 required that any changes to the Articles needed the unanimous consent of all 13 states. This high threshold for amendments made it almost impossible to correct flaws or adapt the document to changing needs.