History of North America

How was the plan of government outlined by Articles Confederation supposed to help 13 new states?

The plan of government outlined by the Articles of Confederation was supposed to help the 13 new states by providing a framework for cooperation and common defense. The Articles established a unicameral legislature, the Congress of the Confederation, in which each state had one vote. Congress had the power to declare war, make peace, enter into treaties, and coin money. However, the Articles did not give Congress the power to tax or regulate commerce, and it could only make laws with the unanimous consent of all 13 states.

This weak central government was designed to prevent the new country from becoming too powerful and oppressive. The Founding Fathers were concerned about the potential for tyranny, and they wanted to ensure that the states retained their sovereignty. The Articles of Confederation also reflected the economic interests of the southern states, which were opposed to a strong central government that could impose tariffs or other regulations that would hurt their trade.

The Articles of Confederation were in effect from 1781 to 1789. During this time, the United States faced a number of challenges, including a severe economic depression, a large national debt, and conflicts with Native American tribes. The weak central government was unable to effectively address these challenges, and the country was on the verge of collapse.

In 1787, the Constitutional Convention was held in Philadelphia to revise the Articles of Confederation. The delegates to the convention drafted a new constitution that created a stronger central government with the power to tax, regulate commerce, and make laws. The new Constitution was ratified by the states in 1788, and it went into effect in 1789.

The Articles of Confederation were a valuable experiment in self-government, but they ultimately proved to be too weak to meet the needs of the new nation. The new Constitution created a stronger central government that was able to effectively address the challenges facing the United States.