Articles of Confederation

A detailed Summary of Articles of Confederation


The Articles of Confederation, the nation's first constitution, contained 13 articles, or sets of binding agreements on specific topics. Overall, the Articles of Confederation discussed the nature of the association of states, limits on the respective powers of the states and confederation government, the structure of the confederation government, and methods of changing, or amending, the agreement. Articles of Confederation did not provide the United States of America with an effective government. The Articles of Confederation lacked an executive branch, a judiciary, and a permanent home, or seat of government. Also, delegate absenteeism was widespread, and because of Articles of Confederation, Congress had difficulty raising money to pay off war debts and pay for its expenses.

The Article of Confederation lacked an executive branch, a judiciary, and a permanent home, or seat of government. The rise of government departments was an important step in the development of an executive branch. One government department was created even before the Confederation, which was the Post Office, directed by a postmaster general. By 1782, the Post office had twenty-six riders carrying mail. Other departments came later. At first, the Congress


, mindful of the unchecked power of British governors, had wanted to take on the tasks of executive departments. Finally in 1781, overwhelmed by the need to represent by their states, they appointed single executives in charge of departments of war, foreign affairs, finance, and marine affairs. Article of Confederation did not provide for federal court system. Article 9 had merely permitted the creation of some courts to hear crime on the high seas and provided a cumbersome legal mechanism for solving state boundary problems. The fact that Articles of Confederation was created, it had failed to supply the Congress with a permanent home, a seat of government or capital.

Absenteeism severely affected the government's ability to function properly. Delegates were reluctant to leave their business or lands for long periods of time, to be parted from their loved ones, and to spend so much time indoors in a distant city or town on thankless, tedious tasks. The delegates often found service in state and local governments more satisfying. Ratification of the Treaty of Paris in 1783, ending the War of Independence, was repeatedly postponed because the approval of nine states was required. Delegates from nine states were seldom present at the same time. Part of th

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Approximate Word count = 851
Approximate Pages = 3 (250 words per page double spaced)

Category: Politics

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