Question

Excerpts from the Articles of Confederation (1777) Article I. The Stile of this confederacy shall be, “The United States of America.” Article II. 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. Article V. In determining questions in the United States, in Congress assembled, each state shall have one vote. Article X. The committee of the states, or any nine of them, shall be authorized to execute, in the recess of congress, such of the powers of congress as the united states, in congress assembled, by the consent of nine states, shall, from time to time, think expedient to vest them with; provided that no power be delegated to the said committee, for the exercise of which, by the articles of confederation, the voice of nine states, in the congress of the united states assembled, is requisite. Briefly explain ONE specific event or development that led to the ideas expressed in the excerpt above.

Answer 1

The Second Continental Congress appointed a committee in 1777 to draft the Articles of Confederation, inspired by the need for a unified national government that could effectively support the American states in the Revolution against Britain while avoiding the pitfalls of a too-powerful central authority.

Step-by-step explanation:

Specific Event Leading to the Ideas Expressed in the Articles of Confederation

One specific event that led to the ideas expressed in the Articles of Confederation was the need for a stronger, more formalized government during the American Revolution. This was evidenced when the Second Continental Congress realized that if the new American states were to succeed diplomatically and gain allies against Britain, they needed a national government to speak and legislate for the states as a whole. Therefore, in 1777, the committee was formed to draft the Articles of Confederation, creating a 'firm league of friendship' among the states for common defense, security of liberties, and mutual welfare. The Articles reflected the recent experiences with British rule and an attempt to prevent a central government from gaining too much power, which is why the document emphasized the sovereignty and independence of each state and limited the powers of the national government.