After winning the Revolutionary War, American leaders faced a serious challenge. How do you run a brand new country? Their answer was the Articles of Confederation, ratified in 1781. It was the first plan for a national government in the United States, and it reflected what most Americans believed at the time. The founders wanted to protect freedom, so they deliberately kept the government's power limited.
Under the Articles, Congress had some real authority. It could declare war, make treaties with other countries, and run the postal system. It could also manage relationships with foreign nations and Indigenous tribes. Most importantly, the Articles vested most governing power in the individual states rather than in the national government. After years under British rule, Americans did not trust a government with too much power, and the Articles were designed with that fear in mind.
The government under the Articles also had one major success. In 1787, Congress passed the Northwest Ordinance, which set up a clear process for new territories to become states. The ordinance protected key rights, such as trial by jury and freedom of religion. It also banned slavery in the Northwest Territory. Five states, including Ohio and Indiana, were eventually created from this land. It showed that the national government could accomplish something significant when given the chance.
The Articles also created serious problems for the young nation. Congress had no power to collect taxes and could only ask states to send money, which they often refused. Without funding, the government could not pay soldiers, settle war debts, or maintain a military force. Foreign nations took advantage of this weakness. Britain kept soldiers on American soil even after the war ended. Additionally, Spain shut down American access to the Mississippi River, hurting farmers and traders in the West.
Trade between states caused additional problems. Each state could charge taxes on goods coming from other states and print its own money. This made buying and selling across state lines expensive and confusing for merchants and farmers alike. The national government had no authority to intervene and establish a fair system for everyone.
The Articles of Confederation were an important first step for the United States. The founders cared a lot about freedom and valued the rights of individual states. Over time, however, the weaknesses of a government with too little power became impossible to ignore, and Americans began searching for a better solution.
