After 16 months of debate, the Continental Congress, sitting in its temporary capital of York, Pennsylvania, agrees to adopt the Articles of Confederation and Perpetual Union on November 15, 1777. Not until March 1, 1781 would the last of the 13 states, Maryland, ratify the agreement.
In 1777, Patriot leaders, stinging from British oppression, were reluctant to establish any form of government that might infringe on the right of individual states to govern their own affairs. The Articles of Confederation, then, provided for only a loose federation of American states. Congress was a single house, with each state having one vote, and a president elected to chair the assembly. Although Congress did not have the right to levy taxes, it did have authority over foreign affairs and could regulate a national army and declare war and peace. Amendments to the Articles required approval from all 13 states. On March 2, 1781, following final ratification by the 13th state, the Articles of Confederation became the law of the land.
Less than five years after the ratification of the Articles of Confederation, enough leading Americans decided that the system was inadequate to the task of governance that they peacefully overthrew their second government in just over 20 years. The difference between a collection of sovereign states forming a confederation and a federal government created by a sovereign people lay at the heart of debate as the new American people decided what form their new government would take.
In 1787, an extra-legal body met in seclusion during Philadelphia’s summer heat to create this new government. On March 4, 1789, the modern United States was established when the U.S. Constitution formally replaced the Articles of Confederation.
Between 1776 and 1789, Americans went from living under a sovereign king, to living in sovereign states, to becoming a sovereign people. That transformation defined the American Revolution.
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There will be a day where the Midwest and South return to something closer to the AoC. But it’ll be utter Hell getting there, and hopefully not a radioactive Hell.
I was taught the AoC was too messy. So the Federalists needed to bring in the constitution to provide order. Now we see what ‘order’ looks like.
Bring back messy.
The lack of taxing authority is what caused many of the “leaders” to turn against the AoC. They could not raise any money to pursue their goals for the “country”. Now look what kind of taxing authority they have and the goals they pursue. Boy, did we screw up.
Annapolis Convention (1786):
“That there are important defects in the system of the Fœderal Government is acknowledged by the Acts of all those States, which have concurred in the present Meeting; That the defects, upon a closer examination, may be found greater and more numerous, than even these acts imply, is at least so far probable, from the embarrassments which characterise the present State of our national affairs—foreign and domestic, as may reasonably be supposed to merit a deliberate and candid discussion, in some mode, which will unite the Sentiments and Councils of all the States. In the choice of the mode your Commissioners are of opinion, that a Convention of Deputies from the different States, for the special and sole purpose of entering into this investigation, and digesting a plan for supplying such defects as may be discovered to exist, will be entitled to a preference from consideration, which will occur, without being particularised.”
https://founders.archives.gov/documents/Hamilton/01-03-02-0556
https://www.mountvernon.org/library/digitalhistory/digital-encyclopedia/article/annapolis-convention/
Too bad that instead of addressing the defects in the AoC, we decided to let the Anglophiles upset the entire apple cart. At least Hamilton got what he deserved though. What we got in lieu of an improved AoC was, well, look around you.
Enjoy it, naysayers like you won’t make it through what’s coming.
Unfortunately, the bankers and their minions didn’t like States’ rights, so we discarded the AoC for the present monstrosity….