The Articles of Confederation & the 'Critical Period' (1781-1789)

Core Concepts

Examines the structure and weaknesses of the United States' first national government and the challenges it faced during the 'Critical Period,' leading to the call for a new constitution.

The Articles of Confederation & the 'Critical Period' (1781-1789)

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What was the fundamental weakness of the national government under the Articles of Confederation regarding finance?

The central government had no power to levy taxes. It could only request ('requisition') funds from the states, which often refused, leaving the government unable to pay its war debts or fund its operations.

Describe the structure of the legislature under the Articles of Confederation.

It was a unicameral (one-house) Congress in which each state had only one vote, regardless of its population. This created tension between large and small states.

What major powers were denied to the national government under the Articles?

The government could not regulate interstate or foreign commerce, could not raise an army directly (only request troops from states), and lacked both an executive branch to enforce laws and a national judicial branch to settle disputes.

What was required to amend the Articles of Confederation?

Amending the Articles required the unanimous consent of all thirteen states, making it nearly impossible to fix the government's structural problems.

What was the purpose of the Land Ordinance of \(1785\)?

This was a major success of the Articles. It established an orderly system for surveying and selling land in the western territories (the Old Northwest). It divided land into six-mile-square townships and set aside a portion of each for public education.

What were the key provisions of the Northwest Ordinance of \(1787\)?

Another major success, it established a process for territories in the Old Northwest to become states on an equal footing with the original thirteen. It also famously banned slavery in the territory and guaranteed civil liberties.

What was Shays' Rebellion and what did it reveal about the Articles of Confederation?

An uprising of debt-ridden Massachusetts farmers in \(1786\)-\(1787\). The national government's inability to raise funds or an army to quell the rebellion highlighted the weakness of the Articles and convinced many leaders that a stronger central government was necessary.

Why is the period from \(1781\) to \(1789\) often called the 'Critical Period'?

Because the new nation faced severe economic and political challenges that threatened its survival. These included a postwar depression, inability to pay debts, trade disputes between states, and conflicts with Britain and Spain on the frontiers.

How did the Articles of Confederation handle foreign policy?

The government could declare war, make treaties, and send diplomats. However, its weakness undermined its authority. For example, Britain refused to evacuate forts in the Northwest Territory and Spain closed the Mississippi River to American trade, and the U.S. government was powerless to respond effectively.

What was the Annapolis Convention of \(1786\)?

A meeting called to address issues of interstate commerce under the Articles. Only five states sent delegates. Its main achievement was a resolution, drafted by Alexander Hamilton, calling for a larger convention in Philadelphia the following year to revise the Articles of Confederation.

What was the primary fear that shaped the weak structure of the Articles of Confederation?

The primary fear was of a strong, centralized government similar to the British monarchy they had just fought against. The drafters prioritized state sovereignty and individual liberty, intentionally creating a weak national government.

The Articles of Confederation & the 'Critical Period' (1781-1789)

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