The Articles of Confederation - Ratification - Extra History - Part 2

Summary

The video script narrates the tumultuous journey of the United States' early government under the Articles of Confederation. It highlights the challenges faced by the Continental Congress in establishing a government that balanced state autonomy with a unified front during the American Revolutionary War. The script details the issues of land disputes between states, the economic crisis due to excessive money printing, and the struggle to maintain the Continental Army's morale and resources. It also touches on the pivotal role of foreign alliances, particularly with France, and the desperate need for financial reform to stabilize the new nation's government and secure its future.

Takeaways

• 📜 The Continental Congress presented the Articles of Confederation after extensive debate and revisions, aiming to balance state autonomy with a unified government during the American Revolutionary War.
• 📅 Congress set a three-month deadline for states to ratify the Articles, but it took over three years, indicating the complexity and disagreements among the states.
• 🌏 Early British charters granted to North American colonies were vague about territorial limits, leading to disputes over land claims once the colonies became independent states.
• 🏰 Maryland's refusal to ratify the Articles until control of the west was given to Congress highlighted the power struggles and concerns over state significance and resources.
• 🤝 Virginia, holding significant western land claims, urged unity and ratification of the Articles, showing the tension between state interests and the collective needs of the confederation.
• 💵 Congress's reliance on printing money to fund the war led to hyperinflation and a loss of value, impacting the Continental Army's ability to secure supplies.
• 🏠 The Continental Army suffered at Valley Forge due to a lack of support from the states, which were preoccupied with their own issues and reluctant to contribute to the central fund.
• 💼 George Washington's leadership was tested as he struggled to maintain the army's morale and survival, resorting to desperate measures such as issuing I.O.U.s to local farmers.
• 🌐 Benjamin Franklin's diplomacy as the U.S. ambassador to France secured crucial French support, which was pivotal in reinforcing the Continental Army and maintaining the fight against the British.
• 🏛 Maryland's eventual ratification of the Articles, under pressure from the French and the dire situation of the war, marked the official establishment of the Confederation Congress.
• 📉 The Confederation Congress faced ongoing challenges, including a lack of state compliance, an ineffective currency, and unsustainable debt, signaling the need for financial reform and stronger governance.

Q & A

What were the Articles of Confederation?

The Articles of Confederation were the first written constitution of the United States, presented by the Continental Congress to establish a government that would allow states to govern themselves while still maintaining a central authority to conduct matters such as the American Revolutionary War.

Why did Congress set a three-month deadline for the ratification of the Articles of Confederation?

Congress set a three-month deadline to expedite the process of making the Articles official, hoping to ensure swift unity and organization among the states in the midst of the ongoing American Revolutionary War.

What issues did the early charters granted by Great Britain create for the colonies that later became independent states?

The early charters were vague about defining the territories each colony would control, with some colonies being granted rights to land extending from the East Coast to the unknown West Coast. This led to disputes over land claims once the colonies became independent states.

Why did Maryland refuse to ratify the Articles of Confederation initially?

Maryland feared that without Western land claims, it would become less significant compared to its larger, wealthier neighbors. It refused to ratify the Articles unless Congress, not individual states, was given control over the Western territories.

What was the stance of Virginia regarding the ratification of the Articles of Confederation and the land dispute?

Virginia, which stood to gain the most from the Western land dispute, suggested focusing on the war and ratifying the Articles first. It also implied that Maryland could be excluded from the confederation if it continued to be obstinate and insisted on its demands regarding the Western lands.

How did the Continental Army's situation at Valley Forge impact George Washington's view of the Confederation Congress?

The dire situation at Valley Forge, where soldiers were freezing and starving due to lack of supplies that could not be purchased with nearly worthless Continental currency, led Washington to view the Confederation as a 'many-headed monster' that was ineffective and potentially disastrous for the war effort.

What was the role of Congress in funding the Continental Army according to the Articles of Confederation?

According to the Articles, Congress was to inform the states how much the army needed, and the states were expected to contribute to a general fund through taxes to support the army.

Why did the states begin to treat requests for contributions to the army as optional?

The states had their own issues, including funding their local militias, and began to see the requests from Congress as optional when they couldn't see an immediate benefit to themselves.

How did Benjamin Franklin's efforts in France benefit the Continental Army?

Benjamin Franklin, serving as the U.S. ambassador to France, secured French support for the United States based on their mutual dislike of the British. This support included reinforcements for Washington's army, which was crucial during the British campaign against the Southern states.

What ultimately led to Maryland's ratification of the Articles of Confederation?

Maryland, feeling isolated and under pressure from the British campaign and the French condition of ratification for help, decided that aligning with Virginia, despite its land dispute, was preferable to aligning with Britain and finally ratified the Articles.

What challenges did the Confederation Congress face in maintaining the Continental Army and its own operations?

The Confederation Congress struggled with a lack of real power to enforce contributions from the states, a devalued currency due to excessive printing of money, and an unsustainable debt that threatened the stability and credibility of the government.