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| | The Articles of Confederation is a long and detailed document, available for free access on the internet, which expressly includes many powers and rights that were left unstated by the subsequent Constitution. The Articles expressly authorized the people to recall their representatives, for example. | | The Articles of Confederation is a long and detailed document, available for free access on the internet, which expressly includes many powers and rights that were left unstated by the subsequent Constitution. The Articles expressly authorized the people to recall their representatives, for example. |
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| − | The Articles provided for a unicameral (one body) Congress to govern the states. There was no president (imagine that!), but rather a committee formed of one representative from each state who wielded executive authority. There were no federal (national) courts (imagine that also!). | + | The Articles provided for a unicameral (one body) Congress to govern the states. The Articles authorized There was no president (imagine that!), but rather a committee formed of one representative from each state who wielded executive authority. There were no federal (national) courts (imagine that also!). The Articles authorized Congress to conduct foreign policy, but did not authorize Congress to regulate commerce. |
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| | '''Debate: Does the United States really need an office of president?''' | | '''Debate: Does the United States really need an office of president?''' |
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| | '''In sum, the Articles of Confederation created a very weak national government, too weak to accomplish what needed to be done'''. Several serious problems below illustrated the defects in this national government. A new convention would be needed to fix the Articles. When that convention finally occurred in 1787, the participants decided instead to create a whole new system of government and replace the Articles of Confederation completely. | | '''In sum, the Articles of Confederation created a very weak national government, too weak to accomplish what needed to be done'''. Several serious problems below illustrated the defects in this national government. A new convention would be needed to fix the Articles. When that convention finally occurred in 1787, the participants decided instead to create a whole new system of government and replace the Articles of Confederation completely. |
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| − | ===Foreign Policy Problems under the Articles of Confederation=== | + | ===Foreign Policy Was Authorized, but Unsuccessful, under the Articles of Confederation=== |
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| − | "Foreign policy" is the term for how a country (in this case, the young United States) deals with other countries. The Articles of Confederation made it almost impossible for the former colonies to speak with one voice on foreign policy. | + | "Foreign policy" is the term for how a country (in this case, the young United States) deals with other countries. The Articles of Confederation gave the government the authority to conduct foreign policy, but made it different for those efforts to be successful without a president. |
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| | In the 1780s, before and after the Revolution, the United States was a mere baby in the world. We were far weaker in every respect than European countries. Comparing the [[United States]] to [[England]] at that time would be like comparing a child to an adult. Just obtaining respect was a struggle, and the Articles made it worse. | | In the 1780s, before and after the Revolution, the United States was a mere baby in the world. We were far weaker in every respect than European countries. Comparing the [[United States]] to [[England]] at that time would be like comparing a child to an adult. Just obtaining respect was a struggle, and the Articles made it worse. |