Articles of Confederation and Challenges with the Constitution

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CONTENT STATEMENT

  1. Problems arising under the Articles of Confederation led to debate over the adoption of the U.S. Constitution.

CONTENT ELABORATION

Domestic problems under the Articles of Confederation led to the creation of a new constitution. Problems under the Articles included:

  • no chief executive;
  • no federal courts;
  • maintaining national security;
  • creating a stable economic system;
  • paying war debts;
  • collecting revenue;
  • regulating trade; and
  • amending the Articles of Confederation.

Challenges in drafting the U.S. Constitution were debated during the Constitutional Convention and by Federalists and Anti-Federalists during the ratification process. These issues were resolved through compromises involving:

powers of the central government versus the states;
adoption of the Bill of Rights;
congressional representation;
the extent of democratic participation; and
the continued institution of slavery.

EXPECTATIONS FOR LEARNING

Analyze how the problems arising under the Articles of Confederation led to debate over the adoption of the U.S. Constitution.

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