The Articles of Confederation was adopted by Congress in 1777 and provided the United States with an ineffective government from 1781 to 1789. The articles gave too much power to each state, which created a loose confederation giving limited power to the central government. The greatest weakness of the government under the Articles was its inability to control trade and impose taxes. Congress did do some things, such as negotiating the Treaty of Paris, that were beneficial to the United States; However, while locating sovereignty in the states, the Second Continental Congress created a government without enough power to govern effectively, which led to problems.
Under the Articles of Confederation, the government consisted of a unicameral Congress, in which each state had one vote. Congress had the power to request donations from the states in order to offset the cost of government, to set up a postal department, and to create a military; It could borrow money, declare war, and enter into alliances with foreign nations. Under this power, Congress signed the Treaty of Paris ending the Revolutionary War. Under the Treaty of Paris, Great Britain recognized the thirteen colonies as the independent United States of America. One of the greatest powers given to Congress under the Articles of Confederation and the Treaty of Paris was the right to control building and settlement of the western territories, which had formerly been controlled by, Great Britain (Doc D) (Doc E).
The United States was able to show its new independence with the Articles of Confederation and set up its own government. While the Articles did set the United States free, there were too many weaknesses to provide them with a strong government. Leaders like John Jay criticized the articles because of this (Doc G). Many of the problems that caused the weak government under the Articles occurred between the states and the federal government.
