Heimler's History: Articles of Confederation

Introduction

• Topic: Articles of Confederation, foundational document for AP Government
• Purpose: Served as the first constitution of the United States
  • Solved the problem of governance after independence from Britain

Definition and Structure

• Confederation: A form of government where several powers unite under a central authority
• Articles of Confederation: Emphasized state power over federal government
  • States retained sovereignty unless powers explicitly delegated to Congress

Key Features of the Articles

• Article 2: Key sentence emphasizing state supremacy
• Article 5: Establishment of a single legislative branch at the federal level
  • No President or federal court
  • Equal representation: Each state has one vote in Congress

Rationale for a Central Government

• Needed to do business with other nations
• Article 6: Restrictions on states dealing with foreign governments individually
  • States prohibited from making treaties or alliances without Congress's consent

Military Provisions

• No national army; reliance on state militias
  • State Militias: Required to be well-regulated and equipped

Powers and Limitations of Congress

• Article 9: Limited powers, e.g., mediating state disputes, setting standards
• Major decisions, like declaring war, required a 9/13 majority (supermajority)

Challenges and Limitations

• Amendment Process: Article 13 required unanimity (13/13 states) for amendments
  • Highlighting the difficulty of making changes

Achievements and Failures

• Achievements:
  • Established a central government
  • Avoided tyranny by limiting central power
• Failures:
  • Numerous flaws led to the drafting of a new Constitution in 1787

Conclusion

• Articles of Confederation successfully established initial governance structure but needed revision due to inherent weaknesses

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• For Further Learning: Explore a playlist on foundational documents
• Study Resources: Consider using the Ultimate Review Packet for exam preparation