The Structure of the Articles of Confederation
The Articles of Confederation contained twelve articles, but Article II is the key. Introduced by Thomas Burke, it specified that "Each state retains its sovereignty, freedom, and independence, and every Power, Jurisdiction and right, which is not by this confederation expressly delegated to the United States, in Congress assembled" (Solberg, p. 42). Similarly, Article III referred to the Articles as a "league of friendship" among the states, more along the order of a treaty than a common government.
As in such a league, although they could send from two to seven delegates, each state had only one vote in a unicameral Congress that had limited powers. For example, Congress did not have power, exercised by today's Congress, over interstate and foreign commerce. Moreover, Article IX provided that:
The united states in congress assembled shall never engage in a war, nor grant letters of marque and reprisal in time of peace, nor enter into any treaties or alliances, nor coin money, nor regulate the value thereof, nor ascertain the sums and expences necessary for the defence and welfare of the united states, or any of them, nor emit bills, nor borrow money on the credit of the united states, nor appropriate money, nor agree upon the number of vessels of war, to be built or purchased, or on the number of land or sea forces to be raised, nor appoint a commander in chief of the army or navy, unless nine states assent to the same.
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