Anissa Daali March 6, 2012 Period 2 The Articles of Confederation failed to provide proper leadership and government to the

United States economically, politically, and socially. The Confederations lack of control over their states led to disarray and confusion among trade and taxes. There was also an issue convincing state officials to participate in the government as well as settling disputes between the states and even other countries. The Articles of Confederation had problems getting a hold on their economic situation. The nation was quite poor from the Revolution and had loans from the French that it was unable to pay back. This was because the Confederation did not have the power to tax, the states were supposed to donate money to the government and as a result, when other states realized that some were not donating money, they refused to as well. Despite the lack of taxing for the nation, the states placed taxes on goods being traded in or through their territory from other states. However, trade was complicated by the fact that there was no national currency. A Virginia dollar could be worth more than a South Carolina dollar, or worth less than a New England gold coin. In the table showing the Estimated Market Value of United States Exports to Great Britain one can see that after the Revolution, there less trade with Great Britain, which also hindered the economic situation of the United States. Politically, the Articles of Confederation was unable to maintain order. They allowed each state one vote for equality; unfortunately, many members would often fail to attend Congress, more concerned about what was going on in their state, therefore, the vote was not cast. Also among the states there were many disputes, especially about boundary lines. In the map of Western Lands Ceded by the States of 1781-1802 one can see how the states made their claims on land, often overlapping other claims already made. There were no federal courts to settle the arguments and so, as one states word was as good as the others, this made it difficult to come to an agreement. Not only were there problems internally, but externally as well. There was no sound way to negotiate, and so when Spain refused to allow America to use their port on the Mississippi River, it greatly impaired the trading within the United States. The document, John Jays Speech to Congress on Negotiations with Spains Minister Diego de Gardoqui of 1786 shows that the negotiations with Spain were not going as well as hoped and limited their economic options. The Articles often had a rather weak authority in most political situations, particularly with the British. Under the Treaty of Paris in 1783, the British troops were supposed to leave, but they felt that there was no reason to and stayed put. The only option the Confederation had was to ask the British to please leave, for there was no federal army to persuade their argument. As seen in John Jays Instructions to the United States Minister to

Great Britain of 1785, there was an attempt of a respectful but firm request for them to take their leave. The Articles of Confederation was most often, socially unsuccessful. Without a federal army there was an inability to protect settlers from Indian attacks or prevent uprisings. The Indians still held an understandable grudge against the Americans for invading and wreaking havoc through their people. Also, carrying habits from the Revolution of killing the Americans and scalping them, the Indians fiercely repaid the debt of blood against them. Following the Revolutionary War, America was a very poor nation and veterans were becoming restless with the lack of pensions for their service as one can see in the Letter from Delegate Joseph Jones of Virginia to George Washington of 1783. This ignited Shays Rebellion and caused quite an uproar. Without an army, only the state militia was available to attempt to clam the rowdy settlers down. There were also the incidents off the Barbary Coast. No navy had been set up, and so there were few ways to protect merchant ships. Pirates began to gather at the coast and took pleasure in plundering and seizing an unguarded fortune. The Articles of Confederation did a rather poor job at leading America. However, its system of management lasted long enough for a better form of government to succeed it. Though the Confederation was unable to succeed overall, it did lay the groundwork for the United States of America that is respected today.

The Articles of Confederation - FRQ By Catherine Church Period 1

The Articles of Confederation failed to provide proper leadership and government to the United States economically, politically, and socially. The Confederations lack of control over their states led to disarray and confusion among trade and taxes. There was also an issue convincing state officials to participate in the government as well as settling disputes between the states and even other countries. The Articles of Confederation had problems getting a hold on their economic situation. The nation was quite poor from the Revolution and had loans from the French that it was unable to pay back. This was because the Confederation did not have the power to tax, the states were supposed to donate money to the government and as a result, when other states realized that some were not donating money, they refused to as well. Despite the lack of taxing for the nation, the states placed taxes on goods being traded in or through their territory from other states. However, trade was complicated by the fact that there was no national currency. A Virginia

dollar could be worth more than a South Carolina dollar, or worth less than a New England gold coin. Politically, the Articles of Confederation was unable to maintain order. They allowed each state one vote for equality; unfortunately, many members would often fail to attend Congress, more concerned about what was going on in their state, therefore, the vote was not cast. Also among the states there were many disputes, especially about boundary lines. There were no federal courts to settle the arguments and so, as one states word was as good as the others, this made it difficult to come to an agreement. Not only were there problems internally, but externally as well. There was no sound way to negotiate, and so when Spain refused to allow America to use their port on the Mississippi River, it greatly impaired the trading within the United States. The Articles of Confederation had a rather weak authority in most political situations, particularly with the British. Under the Treaty of Paris in 1783, the British troops were supposed to leave, but they felt that there was no reason to and stayed put. The only option the Confederation had was to ask the British to please leave, for there was no federal army to persuade their argument. The Articles of Confederation was most often, socially unsuccessful. Without a federal army there was an inability to protect settlers from Indian attacks or prevent uprisings. The Indians still held an understandable grudge against the Americans for invading and wreaking havoc through their people. Also, carrying habits from the Revolution of killing the Americans and scalping them, the Indians fiercely repaid the debt of blood against them. Following the Revolutionary War, America was a very poor nation and veterans were becoming restless with the lack of pensions for their service. This ignited Shays Rebellion and caused quite an uproar. Without an army, only the state militia was available to attempt to clam the rowdy settlers down. There were also the incidents off the Barbary Coast. No navy had been set up, and so there were few ways to protect merchant ships. Pirates began to gather at the coast and took pleasure in plundering and seizing an unguarded fortune. The Articles of Confederation did a rather poor job at leading America. However, its system of management lasted long enough for a better form of government to succeed it. Though the Confederation was unable to succeed overall, it did lay the groundwork for the United States of America that is respected today.