Explain the relationship between key provisions of the Articles of Confederation and the debate over granting the federal government greater power formerly reserved to the states. Discussion: Articles of Confederation
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Explain the relationship between key provisions of the Articles of Confederation and the debate over granting the federal government greater power formerly reserved to the states.
During the establishment of the Article of Confederation, the thirteen involved states agreed to join and form the USA. The thirteen states came together to defeat their common enemy at the time, England to later have the Article of Confederation that posited the greatest political authority in the thirteen states (History.com, 2009). After defeating the enemy, a new unified government under the Articles would find it challenging to maintain its authority. The period after the American Revolution would demonstrate many salient weaknesses.
Generally, the Articles developed a weak central government (Sargent, n.d.). The legislature made of state representatives was awarded little power. There was no executive for enforcing the implemented laws. With no capacity to tax, the new central government had inadequate funds for governing. There was also no regulation of commerce between the states, nor a standing army could not be maintained (Sargent, n.d.). It was evident that the government under the Articles of Confederation was made to a little more of a shadow with no substance. Notably, only the events in Massachusetts between 1786 to 1787 prompted delegates to come together and imagine the best government possible.
The events at the time led to the writing of a new American constitution to deal with the weaknesses of the Articles of Confederation (History.com, 2009). The founders developed a bicameral legislature, the House and Senate. Each representative was given a vote to be used when making laws. The large and small states in the House would be determined through the state’s population and House members directly elected by its people. The Senate was to be apportioned; equally, two members from the state and appointed by the state legislatures. An energetic president would enforce the government and its laws, indirectly elected by the electoral college. The national judiciary selected and affirmed by the Senate would interpret laws (History.com, 2009). The government could also levy taxes and regulate interstate commerce. From this new constitution, the central government was enabled to live up to the imagination of being a good government. Sovereignty was seated in the hands of the people. It would provide defense and protect the inalienable rights. Ultimately, the constitution established was focused on making the central government strong but still under the centralized sovereign.
References
History.com Editors. (2009, October 27). Constitution. Retrieved from https://www.history.com/topics/united-states-constitution/constitution
Sargent, P. (n.d.). Foundations of American democracy. Retrieved from https://www.sargenotes.com/foundations-of-american-democracy.html
