After the Revolutionary War in America, the Articles of Confederation was adopted by the congress. It was aimed at creating a stable government. It gave the states the power to make their own laws. Even though the Articles of Confederation set up a democratic government, it was a failure. This essay will analyze the effects of the Articles of Confederation based on political, geographic, economic and social life of American people after its adoption.
The Articles of Confederation was mainly ineffective because congress had limited powers over the government. States had their own constitutions. Each state had its own laws and regulations. Congress didn't have powers to enforce laws. This caused lack of unity among states. Congress had no powers in regulating trade or raising taxes. For example Rhode Island rejected congress's impost on imported goods. America's exports to Britain also decreased. Congress could conduct wars but couldn't organize an army or draft troops. Even though the congress could carry out diplomatic relationships with other countries, it couldn't solve its own domestic problems. The weak leadership caused Shay's Rebellion and Battle of Fallen Timbers. The above political and economic issues (which weren't effectively ratified in the Articles of Confederation ) led to its failure.
The American society wasn't pleased with the Articles of Confederation. People lost their faith and confidence in their government. America's population was increasing while the economic situation was devastating. The government had to pay war debts but it couldn't raise a lot of money since congress had no powers in regulating trade or raising taxes. There were economic disputes within the society that led to rebellions. The Indian situation remained unresolved (the quarrels between whites and Indians over land). .
Expansion (geography) was the category that the Articles of Confederation had its success.