Overview
This lecture explains the Articles of Confederation, the first constitution of the United States, focusing on its structure, key features, and weaknesses.
Definition and Purpose of the Articles of Confederation
- The Articles of Confederation was the first constitution of the United States after independence from Britain.
- It established a confederation, meaning the states formed a union with limited central authority.
- Most governmental power remained with the states rather than the federal government.
Distribution of Power
- Article 2 states each state keeps its sovereignty, freedom, independence, and powers not expressly given to the federal government.
- The central government could only exercise powers explicitly delegated to it by the states.
Federal Government Structure
- Only a legislative branch was created; there was no president or federal judiciary.
- Each state, regardless of size, had one equal vote in Congress.
Powers and Limitations of Congress
- Congress handled foreign diplomacy, including alliances and treaties.
- States could not independently conduct foreign relations without Congress’s consent.
- Congress could not raise a national army; states were responsible for maintaining militias.
- Congressional powers included settling disputes between states and setting standards for measurements.
- Major actions like declaring war required approval from nine out of thirteen states—a super majority.
Amending the Articles
- Amendments required unanimous consent of all 13 state legislatures, making changes nearly impossible.
Achievements and Flaws
- The Articles created a central government where none existed.
- They avoided a powerful central government but left Congress weak and ineffective.
- Weaknesses led to the Constitutional Convention of 1787 and the creation of a new U.S. Constitution.
Key Terms & Definitions
- Articles of Confederation — The first constitution of the United States, effective from 1781 to 1789.
- Confederation — A union of states with a weak central authority.
- Sovereignty — Supreme power or authority; in this case, retained by the individual states.
- Super Majority — An approval requirement greater than a simple majority, here set at nine out of thirteen states.
- Unanimity — Agreement by all parties, in this context required for amendments.
Action Items / Next Steps
- Review the structure and weaknesses of the Articles for class discussion.
- Study related foundational documents for further understanding.