What were the Articles of Confederation?

Answer 1

It was the original constitution type document that was used initially after we gained independence, but failed because it placed little to no power in the central government.

An example would be it gave the federal government the power to levy a tax, but not the power to collect it, or punish those who didn't pay.

"Can you pay your taxes sir? Please?"

It didn't work out too well.

Answer 2

The Articles of Confederation and Perpetual Union, commonly known as the Articles of Confederation, was the first governing document, or constitution, of the United States of America. It was written in summer 1777 and adopted by the Second Continental Congress on November 15, 1777 in York, Pennsylvania after a year of debate. In practice it served as the de facto system of government used by the Congress ("the United States in Congress assembled") until it became de jure by final ratification on March 1, 1781. At that point Congress became Congress of the Confederation. The Articles set the rules for operations of the United States. The confederation was capable of making war, negotiating diplomatic agreements, and resolving issues regarding the western territories; it could print money and borrow inside and outside the US. One major weakness was it lacked taxing authority; it had to request funds from the states. A second weakness was one-state, one-vote. The larger states were expected to contribute more but had only one vote. As Benjamin Franklin complained, "Let the smaller Colonies give equal money and men, and then have an equal vote. But if they have an equal vote without bearing equal burdens, a confederation upon such iniquitous principles will never last long."[1] The Articles created a weak national government designed to manage the American Revolutionary War. When the war ended in 1783, its many inadequacies became glaringly obvious, and national leaders such as George Washington and Alexander Hamilton called for a new charter. The Articles were replaced by the much stronger United States Constitution on June 21, 1788.

Answer 3

Our First Government, failed because it gave 2 much power to the states and not enough to the ferderal. Then James MAdison Helped to 'Frame' the constitution

Answer 4

They came before the constitution after the declaration of independence. They became obsolete because they were inefficient in solving problems of law.

Answer 5

The predecessor to the American Constitution. Whe we were first setting up government, there were a few kinks to still work out in democracy.

Answer 6

It was the 1st Constitution that preceeded the one we have now!

http://www.ourdocuments.gov/doc.php?flash=true&doc=3