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"Foreign policy" is the term for how a country (the United States) deals with other countries in the world.  At least 10% of the questions on any College Board history exam are about "foreign policy."

"Foreign policy" is the term for how a country (the United States) deals with other countries in the world.  At least 10% of the questions on any College Board history exam are about "foreign policy."

Perhaps the biggest weakness to the Articles of Confederation concerned foreign policy.  In the 1780s, before and after the Revolution, the United States was a mere baby in the world countries.  We were far weaker in ever respect than the powers in Europe.  Comparing the [[United States]] to [[England]] at that time would be like comparing a child to an adult.  Just obtaining respect was a struggle.

Perhaps the biggest weakness to the Articles of Confederation concerned foreign policy.  In the 1780s, before and after the Revolution, the United States was a mere baby in the world countries.  We were far weaker in every respect than the powers in Europe.  Comparing the [[United States]] to [[England]] at that time would be like comparing a child to an adult.  Just obtaining respect was a struggle.

The Articles deprived our young government from having any power or money in foreign relations.

The Articles deprived our young government from having any power or money in foreign relations.

Across the sea in the Mediterranean, American trade was interrupted by piracy off of the Barbary Coast (modern day Tunisia).  Previously, America had been protected from the pirates by England, but now America was obliged to pay its own way. But the government had no money to bribe or fight the pirates.

Across the sea in the Mediterranean, American trade was interrupted by piracy off of the Barbary Coast (modern day Tunisia).  Previously, America had been protected from the pirates by England, but now America was obliged to pay its own way. But the government had no money to bribe or fight the pirates.

From the beginning, the Confederation also had financial troubles, and its attempts to correct its deficiencies only made its problems worse.  It attempts to gain money were uniformly unsound.  Congress borrowed money from foreign countries, printed paper currency, and sold undeveloped western lands.  None of these tactics were effective in improving the economy.

From the beginning, the Confederation also had financial troubles, and its attempts to correct its deficiencies only made its problems worse.  Its attempts to gain money were uniformly unsound.  Congress borrowed money from foreign countries, printed paper currency, and sold undeveloped western lands.  None of these tactics were effective in improving the economy.

After the [[Revolutionary War]], America had more that 35 million dollars in debt, and that number only continued to grow.  The money from the sale of western land was paltry.  It could have paid only one-fourth of the government's current expenses.  There were no national taxes, and requests for money from the states were ignored.  The state governments were having financial difficulties of their own.   

After the [[Revolutionary War]], America had more that 35 million dollars in debt, and that number only continued to grow.  The money from the sale of western land was paltry.  It could have paid only one-fourth of the government's current expenses.  There were no national taxes, and requests for money from the states were ignored.  The state governments were having financial difficulties of their own.   

None of the paper money worked in the long run, but initially, it seemed like a success.  Massachusetts was the only state that did not follow the trend for printed money.  This sparked Shays' Rebellion, which is discussed further below.

None of the paper money worked in the long run, but initially, it seemed like a success.  Massachusetts was the only state that did not follow the trend for printed money.  This sparked Shays' Rebellion, which is discussed further below.

Keep in mind that conflicts over money were as important throughout history as it is today in families and personal relations.  Whether or not money is the root of all evil, it is the root of many conflicts in history and shapes the course of human events.  For example, there has always been constant conflict between people who owe money (debtors) and people who save or lend money (creditors).  Farmers are often debtors and they have always had conflicts with banks, which lend them money.  In colonial America, people who could not pay their debts went to jail, and this was known as "debtor's prison."  The entire colony of Georgia was founded by people who had been in debtor's prison in England.  The [[Founding Father]] who paid for [[George Washington]]'s troops in the American Revolution, [[Robert Morris]], ended up in debtor's prison for four years and died a few years after his release.  Debtor's prison was not abolished in federal law until 1833 and by most the states soon afterwards.<ref>http://myvesta.org/history/history_debtorprison.html</ref>  But even today one can be imprisoned for failure to make a payment that is ordered by a court.

Keep in mind that conflicts over money were as important throughout history as it is today in families and personal relations.  Whether or not money is the root of all evil, it is the root of many conflicts in history and shapes the course of human events.  For example, there has always been constant conflict between people who owe money (debtors) and people who save or lend money (creditors).  Farmers are often debtors and they have always had conflicts with banks, which lend them money.  In colonial America, people who could not pay their debts went to jail, and this was known as "debtor's prison."  The entire colony of Georgia was founded by people who had been in debtor's prison in England.  The [[Founding Father]] who paid for [[George Washington]]'s troops in the American Revolution, [[Robert Morris]], ended up in debtor's prison for four years and died a few years after his release.  Debtor's prison was not abolished in federal law until 1833 and by most of the states soon afterwards.<ref>http://myvesta.org/history/history_debtorprison.html</ref>  But even today one can be imprisoned for failure to make a payment that is ordered by a court.

'''Debate:  Is Debtor's Prison Wrong?'''

'''Debate:  Is Debtor's Prison Wrong?'''