The establishment of the nation

Establishment of a Nation

Discuss the weaknesses of the Articles of Confederation and the reasons it failed.

The Articles of Confederation established solidarity among the thirteen colonies at the end of the Revolutionary War. Reeling from perceived oppression by the British crown, the newly formed United States of America mistrusted strong central governments so much that the Articles of Confederation did not allow for an executive branch of government. Without a strong central government, the confederation could not adequately raise taxes, establish national boundaries, defend against enemies, or regulate trade. Creating and ratifying new legislation also proved difficult because of the strong sense of independence cultivated by each of the former colonies. The Articles of Confederation deliberately established a weak coalition of states. However, the loose confederacy envisioned by the staunch anti-federalists did not last long and the Articles were soon replaced by the Constitution.

Drafted at the Second Continental Congress in 1777 and ratified in 1781, the Articles of Confederation were disputed by several of the thirteen original states. A key reason for resisting ratification was land claims. States bordering on unclaimed territories to the West, including Maryland, wanted to maintain exclusive control over any new lands, whereas other members of the confederation hoped that new lands would be under the dominion of the federal government.

Mistrust of the federal government was the root cause of the failure of the Articles of Confederation. Without a strong central government, the states could hardly overcome the debts incurred from the Revolutionary War. Also, a weak federal government had no authority with which to collect taxes from citizens. States were supposed to collect taxes from their citizens but larger states resented the idea of paying more than states with smaller populations. Representation in the unicameral legislature allowed one vote for each state, which also irked the larger states which wanted more political power. Passing laws in the unicameral legislature proved difficult because of the general lack of faith and credibility placed in the federal government.

A weak central government also meant that some states sought to forge financial ties with foreign nations without the input of the government and without revenue-sharing from tariffs. Ultimately, the Articles of Confederation failed to solidify the new nation. Federalist thinkers revised the Articles to create a "more perfect union" through the Constitution of the United States, which allowed for a bicameral legislature, executive and judicial branches of government, and the right to collect taxes.

2. Describe the makeup of the Constitutional Convention and the priorities of the delegates.

Lloyd (2006) claims that the delegates to the Constitutional Convention were "young, well educated, and politically experienced." Although relatively homogenous in their background, Convention delegates differed significantly in their points-of-view. Moreover, the delegates were appointed from all states but Rhode Island, which refused to send any delegates at all. The Constitutional Convention was therefore highly controversial in spite of the optimism expressed by key members such as George Washington and James Madison. Many notable founding fathers did not attend, including Thomas Jefferson, John Adams, John Hancock, Samuel Adams, and Patrick Henry, who declared that he "smelt a rat," (cited by Lloyd 2006). Fears of the Constitution leading to an overly powerful federal government undoubtedly fueled much of the opposition to the Convention, as did protectionist interests on the part of the states who felt they might stand to lose from stronger unification.

Delegates' priorities focused on the creation of a stronger United States of America through a constitution based on the prevailing Enlightenment and humanistic philosophies of continental thinkers like Locke. The delegates met in total secrecy in the Philadelphia State House for four months, during which they deliberated over the details of the American constitution.

Delegates' top priorities include the following. First, the delegates set out to revise the Articles of Confederation to weaken the power of the state legislatures and increase the powers of the central government. Delegates also sought changes in the ways states were represented in the federal government and introduced the concept of separation of powers to create a system of checks and balances. Debates between federalism and republicanism brewed during the Constitutional Convention, as delegates like Alexander Hamilton favored an exceedingly strong executive branch whereas traditional republicans hoped for term limits for elected officials. Compromise was a must and the Constitution of the United States reflects the confluence of republican and federalist values.

Second, the delegates heatedly debated the question of how to deal with slavery. An abolitionist movement had taken root in Europe and delegates were forced to address concerns about the international and inter-state slave trade. Once again, delegates were forced to reach compromise over the slavery issue.

Third, delegates outlined the means by which to elect the President. The Connecticut Compromise put off having to decide term limits for the president just as the Constitutional Convention also failed to clarify a stance on slavery.

3. Compare Hamilton and Jefferson in their political and economic philosophies and their concept of federalism.

Alexander Hamilton favored a strong central government that would efficiently regulate trade in the best economic interests of the nation. He argued that the national debt could not possibly be paid off without the aid of a strong central government, because the weak Articles of Confederation failed to provide impetus for state contributions to federal coffers. The economic and industrial development of the United States depended on a centralized system of taxation and trade regulation, according to Hamilton. Hamilton also advocated the creation of a federal banking system and a unified system of credit for investors.

Hamilton's Federalist views were denounced by Thomas Jefferson, an avowed agrarian and populist. Jefferson's anti-federalist views were inspired by a deep mistrust of elitist governmental authority, which can too easily lead to oppressive state regimes. Keeping with his beliefs, Jefferson opposed a national banking system and his refusal to take part in the Constitutional Convention was in part due to his belief in states' rights over an authoritative federal government. Hamilton did take part in the Convention in Philadelphia and had a huge impact on the outcome of the constitution.