3.7 The Articles of Confederation

A Weak National Government by Design

Fearing tyranny like Britain's, the Articles of Confederation (ratified 1781) created a loose confederation of sovereign states with a weak central government. Congress could declare war, make treaties, and coin money, but had no power to tax or regulate commerce, and there was no executive or national judiciary. Amendments required unanimous consent of all 13 states.

Successes: The Northwest Ordinance

Despite weaknesses, Congress passed the Land Ordinance of 1785 and Northwest Ordinance of 1787, which created an orderly system for surveying, selling, and admitting new western territories as states on equal footing with existing ones, and banned slavery in the Northwest Territory. These laws showed the Confederation's capacity for constructive policy.

Crisis and Collapse

Postwar economic troubles and debt led to unrest like Shays's Rebellion (1786-87), where indebted Massachusetts farmers protested foreclosures and courts. Congress's inability to raise an army or funds to respond alarmed elites, convincing many that a stronger national government was needed—directly leading to the Constitutional Convention of 1787.

Key terms

Articles of Confederation

The first U.S. constitution (1781), creating a weak central government with no power to tax or regulate commerce.

Shays's Rebellion

1786-87 uprising by indebted Massachusetts farmers protesting debt collection and foreclosures; exposed Confederation weaknesses.

Northwest Ordinance (1787)

Law establishing how western territories would be governed and admitted as states; banned slavery in the Northwest Territory.

Amendment process under the Articles

Required unanimous consent of all 13 states, making reform extremely difficult.

Why the Articles failed

No power to tax, no executive branch, no national judiciary, and weak ability to enforce laws or maintain order.

Try an AP-style question

A major weakness of the Articles was that Congress couldn't…

1. coin money
2. make treaties
3. declare war
4. levy taxes