Articles Of Confederation example essay topic

533 words
"How did the Articles of Confederation help the U.S. become a successful, independent nation?" The Articles of Confederation were the first "constitution" of America. They were written in 1777 by the Second Continental Congress of the 13 colonies. The Articles of Confederation helped the U.S. become a successful, independent nation by making sure that there was political influence, and by imposing laws and a central government. They brought the people of the nation together for a cause, and the Articles helped the economy. Politically the Articles created a loose confederation that gave limited powers to a central government. Through this, congress had the power to do many things that benefited the nation, such as they had the power to set up a postal service, and they could raise armies.

The government raised armies to insure that the nation would stay independent. There was freedom to voice an opinion and have a say in the government, and the people were allowed to select representatives. Things like this made government successful and independent because, a worry of many people was that this government would turn out to be like the British Parliament, but the government ensured peoples rights and freedoms, and this helped the people realize that the Articles were enforced to protect them. One of the powers Congress had were that if 9 states out of the total 13 agreed upon it, the congress could coin, borrow, and dole out money.

This boosted the commerce / trade. There were always problems with money and America was in debt because of the Revolutionary war. They owed money that was next to impossible to pay back, and if everyone spent all their time trying to figure out ways to pay their debts, there would be no growth in the economy. The Articles said that the debt would be paid back. In a way many people were relieved by this and started focusing on the economy and more ways to make it more successful. People were united by the Articles for one main reason; to make sure that the nation became successful and independent.

Things in the Articles brought people together. When people were given the right to chose representatives they came together and elected them. They were given as much independence as possible. They united to protect themselves. All 13 States had voting privileges, the rights that were enforced benefited all the states and connected everyone together.

The nation entered into a "league of friendship" they were linked together for joint action in dealing with everyday dilemmas, like foreign affairs. Everything at that time was new and foreign. Their independence was still new, and there were Articles making sure that things stayed that way. The Articles of Confederation were the beginning of great things to come. The Articles laid out the laws and helped our nation become what it is today.

The Articles were the peoples reassurance. Even thought there were problems in the Articles, if they hadn't been created and utilized, the Constitution would never have been written.