Question

The Articles of Confederation demonstrated a distrust of a strong national government. What were some of the historical and philosophical reasons for this distrust?

A. Historical reasons, such as the success of strong monarchies; Philosophical reasons, such as a belief in absolute government power
B. Historical reasons, such as the failure of weak state governments; Philosophical reasons, such as a preference for centralized authority
C. Historical reasons, such as the effectiveness of strong state governments; Philosophical reasons, such as a distrust of concentrated power
D. Historical reasons, such as the absence of historical governments; Philosophical reasons, such as a rejection of democratic principles

Answer 1

The distrust in a strong national government that shaped the Articles of Confederation was rooted in the tyrannical experiences under English rule and a philosophical preference for state sovereignty and fear of concentrated power.

Step-by-step explanation:

The Articles of Confederation demonstrated a distrust of a strong national government due to historical experiences and philosophical beliefs of the time. One of the main historical reasons for the distrust was the tyranny experienced under the King and Parliament of England, which led the Founders to avoid creating a similar system of centralized authority. Instead, they opted for a government that heavily favored state sovereignty, resulting in a weak central government. This arrangement quickly proved insufficient, as it struggled to address various national issues like servicing war debts, dealing with interstate commerce disputes, and suppressing revolts, such as Shays' Rebellion. Philosophical reasons included the fear of concentrated power and the desire to protect individual freedoms and the sovereignty of the states, which shaped their preference for a confederation over a stronger centralized government.