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Articles of Confederacy Essay

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Articles of Confederacy

The articles of the confederacy were the first constitution to be approved in the U.S. The

articles enabled the various colonial states to bond together during the time of war. Therefore,

they established a centralized government that was able to work with the thirteen states. Also, it

was an agreement between the 13 original States in the United States. Regardless, various

scholars share different opinions concerning the overall significance of these articles.

Some scholars argue that the articles were required to unify the Americans against Great

Britain. During this time, the British government had enforced strict rules on individuals who

lived in the American colonies. Such regulation urged the U.S. to yearn for its independence. By

writing down the Articles of Confederacy, the U.S. showed Great Britain and the rest of the

world that it was capable of taking care of itself. Conversely, other scholars assert that these

articles did not unify the U.S. as the 13 states still existed. In this regard, the lack of trade

regulation in the articles, made each state act as a small country. Additionally, every state

perceived other states like a coalition rather than a fellow Nationalist. Moreover, during the

1780s, every state was distributing its currency. As a consequent, it increased the levels of

inflation, which decreased the economic standards of each country. In short, the scholars

established that the solitary solution would have been to unify the needs of Americans rather

than having complete independence.

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The discussion on article IV asserts that the 13 states in the U.S. were independent of

each other. Thus, article IV was supposed to pass a message of unity across all the States. To be

precise, it encourages a mutual relationship and intercourse among individuals of various states.

People from all states had the freedom to enter and reenter any other state. According to

Kammen, every free inhabitant of each of the states except fugitives was eligible to all

immunities and privileges of free citizens in the 13 states (11). Also, every citizen except the

fugitives had the right to enjoy free commerce and trade in any state. Additionally, any person

fled from criminal justice of one state was supposed to face the charges in his/her current state

(Kammen 11). As a result, the state courts and magistrate were fully credited and trusted to

oversee the acts, record and judicial proceeding of such cases.

Article VI states the various powers that the congress has regarding the states' foreign

relationship. For instance, the article stated for two or more states to engage in a treaty they must

be consented by the U.S. in congress assembled. Furthermore, the states were denied the chance

to enter into any alliances, agreements or conference with any other states or king prince without

a consent form the U.S. congress assembled (Kammen 12). The congress had the authority to

oversee that states do not lay any duties or impost that may interfere with any stipulations in

treaties entered with another state or king prince. Furthermore, congress ensured that the militia

in every state was disciplined and regulated. By doing so, the congress provided that no state

engaged in a war without its consent. Also, the congress oversaw that the vessels of wars were

regulated in time of peace and were only issued to various states in time of need. Generally, the

U.S. government wanted to remain centralized despite having several states.

Indeed, the articles of confederacy did not work well for the U.S. To be precise, a set of

drawbacks outshined its benefits. For instance, due to the approval of these articles, the state

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Surname 1 Name Professor Course Date Articles of Confederacy The articles of the confederacy were the first constitution to be approved in the U.S. The articles enabled the various colonial states to bond together during the time of war. Therefore, they established a centralized government that was able to work with the thirteen states. Also, it was an agreement between the 13 original States in the United States. Regardless, various scholars share different opinions concerning the overall significance of these articles. Some scholars argue that the articles were required to unify the Americans against Great Britain. During this time, the British government had enforced strict rules on individuals who lived in the American colonies. Such regulation urged the U.S. to yearn for its independence. By writing down the Articles of Confederacy, the U.S. showed Great Britain and the rest of the world that it was capable of taking care of itself. Conversely, other scholars assert that these articles did not unify the U.S. as the 13 states still existed. In this regard, the lack of trade regulation in the articles, made each state act as a small country. Additionally, every state perceived o ...
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