The Articles of Confederation failed because it gave too much power at the state level rather than spreading the power to the federal and state governments.
The Articles gave the states more power because people were scared that if the central government had too much power it would result in a monarchy. One of the weaknesses in the Articles was that it only gave "each state one vote in congress regardless of size in population" (Article V). The Articles also only discussed issues if it effected all 13 states, and if the issues were to be discussed it would need "9 of 13 votes to pass" (Article IX). With The Articles of Confederation it made it so there was no executive branch to enforce the acts passed by Congress. There was also no national court system under the Articles.
The Articles failed due to the lack of power that the Federal government held. To have a successful government the states and the federal level need to have equal power. Under the Articles the central government had no power to collect taxes, and no power to regulate trade. The only powers the central government had was to declare war or peace, and enter into treaties with foreign nations.
I used the same reasons in my blog. Needing 9 of 13 votes to pass anything would've taken way too long. Also needing 9 states to agree on something probably wasn't easy either.
ReplyDeleteI agree with your reasons on why they failed. Not bein able to collect taxes is very unfair and bring in no money.
ReplyDeleteI like that you quoted both Article V and Article IX. You emphasized the weakness of the 9/13 vote and how nothing could get accomplished.
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