- What was the purpose of the Articles of Confederation?
The Articles of Confederation served as a written document that established the functions of the national government of the US after the independence of Great Britain. They established a weak central government with strong individual states.
- When were the Articles ratified?
The Articles were ratified by all thirteen states in March 1st of 1781.
- What was the purpose of the central government, according to the Articles?
Despite the fact that the central government was weak under the Articles of Confederation, the central government would have a task of declaring war, appoint military officers, sign treaties, make alliances, appoint foreign ambassadors and manage relations with Indians.
- What was the most important job of the Congress in 1777?
The Continental Congress of 1777 most important job was to adopt the Articles of Confederation that was the first constitution of the US. It was on November 15th of 1777 but it wasn’t only until 1781 that all states ratified the Articles.
- How many votes did each state have?
Each state had one vote - an equal vote regardless of the size of the state-. This was to provide unity since the beginning.
- How many states had to agree to the law for it to be enacted?
All the thirteen states needed to approve the articles for it to be enacted. The Congress debated the Articles for over a year and a half and the ratification process took almost three years.
- What was the government prevented from doing by the Articles? What happened to the government because it couldn't raise money?
The Central government was prohibited to impose taxes, the Articles only allowed state governments to levy taxes. This was the main problem because the central government had no income and had to request money from the states that mostly did not give it and, because of that the government was underfunded. This caused another big problem, the Central government did not have money to pay debts from the Revolution and this caused problems with foreign affairs.