Problems with the articles of confederation

The Articles of Confederation were written in 1777. They formed a type of government called a loose confederation. This called for a very weak federal government and stronger states. The people wanted this at the time because they had just finished with the British fiasco. They didn't want taxes or commerce regulation. The Articles created a Congress that was the supreme power. It could make laws, but not enforce them well. Eventually, the people tired of this weak federal government and met to alter it. Instead, the delegates 55 delegates from all 13 states decided to throw out the old constitution and create an entirely new one. This is called the Constitution.

Problems with the Articles of Confederation
The government had several weaknesses. First, it was unable to tax the states to make up for the humungous war debt. Instead, congress could only ask for a quota from each state each year. It was virtually impossible for the Articles to be amended; the amendments would have to be accepted unanimously in congress. Also, in congress, each state had one vote. The most populated state, New York, would have the same say as the least populated state.
With a weak central government, many problems arose. The most noteworthy of which is Shay's Rebellion. In 1786, a group of farmers, led by Daniel Shay, were upset at the loss of their land. It was being taken by the government because the farmers couldn't afford to pay off their state taxes. They demanded cheap paper money, lighter taxes, and suspension of property takeovers.
Although the central government couldn't tax, the states could. States could write and enforce navigation and tax laws. These are the taxes that the Shaysites were mad about.

Strengths of the Articles of Confederation
The government created under the articles was precisely what the people of the time wanted: a weak federal government and strong state governments. Congress did have it in their power to wage war if necessary, although they never did use this power under the Articles. Even though foriegn relations with Britain were extremely bad, congress could negotiate and make treaties with foriegn countries.The power to coin money was also given to the federal government.
The biggest power listed in congress was the ability to resolve western issues. Through the Land Ordinance of 1785, the acreage of the Old Northwest was sold and the profits were used to pay off war debts. The land was broken up into chunks 6 miles by 6 miles. There were 36 equal sections in each chunk and the 16th sector was always designated for education. Also, in the Northwest Ordinance of 1787, the governing of the Old Northwest was hit on. There were two evolutionary steps to becoming a state that were included in the Ordinance. The first was to be subordinate to the federal government. Next, when a territory had 60,000 inhabitants, it may be admitted as a state. These two acts are very useful even today. Almost every road runs either north and south or east to west. The blocks of roads are either 1/2 square mile or 1 square mile.

Extras
Harshboogle - a term used in the times of the Articles of Confederation. Its meaning - to insist that you are correct; to argue pointless terms
:Origin - a term that has been passed down through the ages
Harshburglar - terrorized the towns of New York City, Pennsylvania, and Jamestown with his insane arguments

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