The Articles of Confederation

The Articles of Confederation The first constitution of the United States was known as the Articles of Confederation. The Articles were written in 1977, after independence from Great Britain had been declared and while the American Revolution was in progress. As a constitution, the Articles had a short life. The document was not fully ratified by the states until 1781, and it remained in effect only until 1787. Under the Articles, Congress was the sole organ of government. Also under the Articles the thirteen states had most of the power, which led into many problems. Some of the many problems were that the states taxed import and export between states, no equality in number of votes according to the population, each state can volunteer to pay taxes, and also each state can produce their own money. All these problems led many people to bankruptcy and debt, which they could not pay off. In 1786, there was an uprising in Massachusetts in opposition to high taxes and stringent economic conditions.The Articles of Con ferderation, ratified in 1781. ...Shackled by war debts the government was forced to beg for concessions from each individual state. However, this was merely done on a voluntary basis. The government owed a substantial amount of money, some back-pay to members of her continental army. In a letter from Delegate Joseph Jones he writes George Washington, the "discontent of the army"‚ ¦that justice is not intended"‚ ¦in complying with the requests [for bonus and back pay]."‚  He continues that there is an "inability of Congress to pay their demands unless furnished with the means by the several states."‚  The federalists had financial impotence. The writers of these Articles failed to recognize the needs of the national government, blinded by their quest for unbridled individual liberty. In late 1782, the Congress proposed a tax, or impost, on imported goods. However, haunted by the demon they created, the...