What is a major lesson learned from our experience under the Articles of Confederation?
The Correct Answer and Explanation is :
One major lesson learned from the experience under the Articles of Confederation is the necessity of a strong central government to maintain order and effectively manage the affairs of a nation.
The Articles of Confederation, ratified in 1781, served as the first constitution of the United States but ultimately proved to be inadequate for governing the newly independent states. The structure of the government created under the Articles emphasized state sovereignty and limited the powers of the central government. This led to several significant challenges.
First, the Articles did not grant the federal government the power to tax, which severely hampered its ability to raise revenue. As a result, the government struggled to pay off war debts from the Revolutionary War and lacked funds to maintain an army or enforce laws. This financial instability undermined the nation’s credibility both domestically and internationally.
Second, the lack of a strong central authority made it difficult to address interstate disputes. States acted in their own interests, often leading to conflicts over borders, trade regulations, and tariffs. This disunity highlighted the inefficiency of having a decentralized system where states could disregard federal directives.
Moreover, the inability to enforce laws or regulate commerce resulted in economic chaos. For instance, the country faced significant inflation and economic downturns, exacerbating social unrest and leading to events such as Shays’ Rebellion in 1786. This uprising of farmers against tax and debt burdens demonstrated the weaknesses of the Articles and the urgent need for a more robust government.
In response to these challenges, the Constitutional Convention was convened in 1787, resulting in the creation of the U.S. Constitution, which established a stronger federal government with the authority to tax, regulate commerce, and maintain a standing army. The lessons learned from the Articles of Confederation underscored the importance of a balanced government that could both empower states and maintain national unity and stability.