History of Europe

How successfully did the Articles of Confederation meet fears that Americans had about tyrannical government?

The Articles of Confederation failed to successfully address fears about tyrannical government for several reasons:

- Weak Central Authority: The Articles created a loose alliance of states with a very limited central government, which lacked the power to effectively address internal and external threats. This inability to exert authority raised concerns that powerful states could oppress smaller ones, or that foreign adversaries could exploit the disunity of the new nation.

- Absence of an Executive Branch: The Articles of Confederation did not establish a separate executive branch, instead relying on a committee system to carry out executive functions. This lack of a strong central leadership figure further weakened the government and its ability to address issues such as conflicts between states, disputes with Native American tribes, and economic instability.

- Limited Powers of Congress: Congress, the legislative body under the Articles, lacked the authority to levy taxes, regulate interstate commerce, or form treaties with foreign nations. These limitations hampered the government's ability to effectively address economic challenges, promote national unity, and protect the country's interests abroad.

- Inability to Enforce Laws: The Articles lacked mechanisms to enforce laws or decisions made by Congress. This meant that states were free to disregard or oppose federal regulations without facing any meaningful consequences, leading to a lack of respect for the central government and a lack of coordination in policy implementation.

- Vulnerable to Internal Disputes: The Articles provided insufficient means for resolving disputes between states. Each state had one vote in Congress, regardless of its population or resources, which led to conflicts over representation and decision-making. The inability to effectively resolve internal conflicts raised fears that the country could be torn apart by regional disputes and rivalries.

Overall, the weaknesses and limitations of the Articles of Confederation led to a lack of trust in the central government and concerns that it could not adequately protect citizens from tyrannical rule. These concerns eventually contributed to the establishment of a stronger federal government under the Constitution, which aimed to address these deficiencies and create a more balanced distribution of power.