American History - Problems with the Articles of Confederation

Initially created to serve as a system of government, the Articles of Confederation proved to do more harm than good. Written by John Dickinson, the Articles were not considered absolute until well into November of 1777. However, one of the main problems associated with the Articles of Confederation was the fact that the ability to govern effectively was relatively obsolete as the government did not have the ability to carry out such decisions without encountering opposition from the states. As one may imagine, this caused widespread problems on both a state and international level.

Following the American Revolution, the states faced serious financial problems. The government had accrued a large amount of debt following its involvement. The Articles of Confederation explicitly prohibited the ability of the government to impose taxes. The only way for the debt to be paid off was from funds secured through the state. However, the state refused to give the government the money it desperately needed to pay back its amassing debt. In order to compensate for this, an increased printing of paper currency was implemented. Though the only thing that this did was cause widespread inflation which opened the newly formed nations up to a whole new host of problems. Due largely in part to the fact that the states were able to produce their own individual currency the problem of inflation was compounded.

The states were dependent on import trade and exchange as their main source of revenue. Yet, the Articles of Confederation denied the government the right to directly control trade. As a result the nation as whole saw very little revenue which in turn created even more problems in regards to debt problems. Because the states were allowed to maintain their own currencies there was little to no direct commerce. Interestingly enough, though they denied the government money, the state themselves had relatively little funds at their disposal.

The Articles of Confederation did not allow for the creation of a national army. This left the states unable to defend their boundaries from threats from outside forces. The states were largely assumed responsibility for any problems that occurred. Nevertheless, disasters that occurred at the state level were not able to be dealt with in an effective manner. For instance, take Shay's Rebellion. Shay's Rebellion occurred on January 1787, composed of a little less than 2000 farmers who were dissatisfied with financial and political guidelines of the time. It reminded not only the government but the states that an organized military would prove to be essential for their overall stability and effectiveness.

Although the Articles of Confederation were intended to aid the newly emerged states they did just the opposite. As a result they failed in more ways than one. The Articles did not allow for any one central government. There was not any one power in charge. Because of this government, itself was not as strong as it could have been. Moreover, while the government had the ability to make decisions they did not have the ability to impose them. Consequently, the states chose in part to ignore these decisions altogether or override them. The states were hesitant to give the states full governing power because they feared that it would mirror that of the British regime. Accordingly, the states themselves had too much governing power. Due in part to the fact that both the both the passing of law and modification of the articles required a thirteen state approval---matters of these kinds were a slow and tedious process.

Subsequently, the individual states did no co-exist amicably with each other at times. Rather than consider themselves a unified unit the states regarded themselves as individual nations. This did little for the unity of the country where unison of the states was needed for a stable nation. Tensions between the states in light of a damaged economy proved to be futile. The states disregard for the laws implemented by the convention made the Articles of Confederation obsolete. They had to be willing to relinquish their power which they were not.

Above all, the Articles of Confederation proved to be ineffective. They lacked focus and strength. Already damaged foreign relations were not made any better. Without one specific governing body, power seemed disorganized and multi-directional. Added in part to a variety of other problems the Articles of Confederation was nothing short of a failure.