What does James Madison identify as the main flaws of the Articles of Confederation?

Answer 1

The Articles of Confederation spoke in terms of a league between independent states. But Madison viewed this as one of the main flaws of the Articles: the Union being regarded as a "league of sovereign powers, and not as a political Constitution by virtue of which they are become one sovereign power."5 One purpose of the Constitution was to establish a firmer national bond, but just how firm was less than crystal clear.

Answer 2

This is what was wrong with the Articles of Confederation, as posted in your other question:

The Articles of Confederation created basically a nonexistent government. The Articles prevented the government from collecting taxes or passing laws. The lack of taxes made it impossible to fund and maintain an army for defensive purposes. Shays' Rebellion was the number one cause for the rich to realize that America needed a stronger government, which the Articles clearly weren't providing them with. Danial Shays and a group of neighbors that were losing their farms chased away tax collectors because they couldn't pay them. The rebellion couldn't be crushed because there was no army.

The Articles of Confederation didn't allow for changes to me made. It took a unanimous vote to get any changes, which never happened. This made the government ineffective, and therefore, not good for America. Since the government couldn't tax, the country stayed in debt and was broke. It caused more tension between states, since THEY were the ones taxing each other for their goods. America's economy suffered greatly, while England profited by selling cheaper goods to Americans. The government couldn't create tariffs, so non-American products were cheaper.

There were yearly elections for government positions. The people feared another king-like figure, so the solution was to replace them annually. This made the government very weak and ineffective. They weren't able to accomplish anything while holding office.

Since America was in debt to France, France cut off the chance to trade with the West Indies.

There were more pirate attacks on American vessels. While before, the English navy protected America, independence made American ships easy pickings for pirates. The government had no money or army to protect America. Again, the economy suffered.

Government being unable to solve internal disputes lead to Shays' Rebellion.

There was SOME good that came from the Articles, though. For one, it settled western land disputes, and the west was settled quicker. A Civil War could have broken out during the fighting over land in the west, and the Articles of Confederation put an end to the dispute.

Answer 3

The main flaws of the Articles of Confederation, according to Madison, would be three:

1. It left the states weak in terms of common defense, especially against the British who were still close by in Canada and the Caribbean.

2. The inability to regulate interstate commerce. Under the article it was left for each state to decide, making it difficult for interstate trade to take place, as states had wide disparities in their approach to trade.

3. The guarantee of liberties was also a varied patchwork throughout the states. Some states had established religions, others limited certain other rights like speech and assembly, and rights in court varied from place to place. A stronger federal constitution would ensure a more equitable treatment of rights for all, rather than states competing.