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Oversights of the Articles of Confederation

 

            In 1777, the Continental Congress drafted the original constitution, for the union of the 13 founding states. This was known as the Articles of Confederation. Led by John Dickinson, the Congress designed a loose confederation, rather than a strong and centralized nation. This document encompasses many significant terms, but also includes a few weaknesses. However, the problems that arose in the Articles, were addressed in the newly drafted Constitution. The Constitution was the following document drafted by the Constitutional Convention in 1789, which revitalized the previous constitution, by creating an entirely new one. .
             The Articles of Confederation contained a very important political issue, a lack of an Executive Branch or President. This lack of universal authority, created many branching issues within the nation. Congress was granted limited powers, which left major decisions up in the air; laws could only be passed with the singular vote of each state, to reach the minimum of a seven-state agreement. Other issues also arose, declaring war or making treaties required 9 of the 13 states to approve. With this criterion, the states couldn't make any major decisions. .
             The newly drafted Constitution addressed this political issue with the establishment of separation of powers, and checks and balances. These key principles play a vital role in the political stability of the United States. The separation of powers divided the federal government into three distinct branches: Legislative, Executive, and Judicial. This assigns specific powers to each of the three branches. The Legislative branch, or Congress, enacts laws. The Executive branch, led by the President, carries out the laws, negotiates treaties, and commands armed forces. The Judicial branch, consisting of the Supreme Court, interprets the Constitution and enforces the laws. The purpose of checks and balances, is to prevent a single center of power.


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