The Articles of Confederation EXPLAINED [AP Government Review]

Summary

This video from the 'Heimlich, History US Government Edition' series delves into the historical backdrop of the United States Constitution. It starts with America's first constitution, the Articles of Confederation, which granted significant power to the states and left the central government weak. The script discusses the British imposition of taxes on the colonies, leading to the American Revolution and the eventual drafting of a new constitution in 1787 to address the Articles' shortcomings. The economic chaos and Daniel Shays' rebellion highlighted the need for a stronger federal government, setting the stage for the Constitutional Convention in Philadelphia.

Takeaways

• 🏛️ The U.S. Constitution is the second constitution of the United States, following the Articles of Confederation.
• 🇬🇧 America began as 13 British colonial settlements that were influenced by the French and Indian War, leading to increased British taxes on the colonies.
• 📜 The Stamp Act of 1765 was a significant tax imposed by the British on printed materials in the colonies, sparking the American colonists' resistance.
• 🍵 The Boston Tea Party was a protest against British taxation, where colonists dressed as Indians and dumped tea into Boston Harbor.
• 🇺🇸 On July 4th, 1776, the American colonies formally declared independence from Britain, necessitating the establishment of a formal government.
• 📝 The Articles of Confederation were the first attempt at a formal U.S. government, granting most power to the states and leaving the central government weak.
• 🏦 Under the Articles, there was no president or Supreme Court; the only governing body was a congress with one vote per state and veto power over changes.
• 💵 The Articles of Confederation allowed states to coin their own money and make treaties with other nations, but also led to economic chaos and depression.
• 🛡️ The federal Congress under the Articles had no power to tax, which hindered the support of George Washington's troops during the Revolutionary War.
• 🤝 The Constitutional Convention in 1787 was convened to address the defects of the Articles, with the aim of creating a new constitution.
• 🛂 The economic crisis and Daniel Shays' Rebellion highlighted the need for a stronger central government, influencing the discussions at the Constitutional Convention.

Q & A

What was the first constitution of the United States?

The first constitution of the United States was the Articles of Confederation.

Why did the American colonies resist British taxes after the French and Indian War?

The American colonies resisted British taxes because they had no representation in the British Parliament, which led to the famous cry 'No taxation without representation'.

What was the Stamp Act of 1765?

The Stamp Act of 1765 was a tax imposed by the British on all printed materials published in the colonies, which greatly angered the colonists.

What event is associated with the American colonists' protest against British tea taxes?

The Boston Tea Party is the event where colonists dressed as Indians and dumped imported tea into the Boston Harbor to protest against British tea taxes.

What were the Coercive Acts and what was their purpose?

The Coercive Acts were a series of laws passed by the British Parliament aimed at punishing Massachusetts for the Boston Tea Party and to reassert control over the colonies by suppressing their resistance.

On what date did the American colonies formally declare independence from Britain?

The American colonies formally declared independence from Britain on July 4th, 1776.

What was the main governing body under the Articles of Confederation?

The main governing body under the Articles of Confederation was a Congress, where each state had one vote and decisions required a supermajority of 9 out of 13 votes.

Why was the central government under the Articles of Confederation considered weak?

The central government under the Articles of Confederation was considered weak because it had no power to tax, no executive branch, and no national Supreme Court, leaving most of the governing power to the states.

What was the economic situation in the states after the American Revolution?

After the American Revolution, there was economic chaos and a grinding depression, especially among farmers who could not pay their debts.

Who led the rebellion that highlighted the flaws of the Articles of Confederation?

Daniel Shays led the rebellion that attempted to take over the Massachusetts state arsenal to pressure the government to stop prosecuting farmers for debt.

What was the purpose of the Constitutional Convention in Philadelphia in 1787?

The purpose of the Constitutional Convention in Philadelphia in 1787 was to address the defects of the Articles of Confederation and to write a new constitution that would create a stronger central government.