The Articles of Confederation, the Path to the Constitution

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Ebert Nikolai Adame

Political Science

Research Paper I

The Articles of Confederation, the Path to the Constitution

After the Declaration of Independence, the Founding Fathers had to create a framework of government that would serve as the new enforceable law in the land. The Articles of Confederation, or formerly known as the Articles of Confederation and Perpetual Union, was an agreement made between the thirteen sovereign states that established the newly formed United States of America. The Articles served, and are regarded as the first "constitution". However, this first attempt at creating a system of government did not work as intended for it revealed many weaknesses. But why did the Articles fail, and how did the Constitution make up for its shortcomings? The Articles were not sufficient to rule such large nation as the United States of America. The lack of power given to the central government, among other features, proved that a large nation needed a well-balanced system of government that would fit the needs of the states, the people, and also, create a strong national government whose job was to oversee the well being of the nation. Therefore, the Articles of Confederation served as bridge between the initial government by the Continental Congress of the Revolutionary period and the Federal Government provided by the Constitution for the United States.  

Even though the intention to create a strong central government was preconceived, it did not happen this way. The states main concern to not be controlled delayed the acquiescence and compliance to the suggested Continental Congress mandate. The Articles of Confederation were written during the Second Continental congress taken place in Maryland and began the ratification in November 1977 Wikipedia. “The head of the committee, Johnson Dickinson, who did not participate in the signing of the Declaration of Independence, nevertheless adhering to the will...
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