Why Are The Articles Of Confederation Important To Congress

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Following the Revolutionary war, Americans found that the challenge of building a nation was more formidable than winning the war against Great Britain (180). The 1st and 2nd Continental Congresses were called in an emergency attempt to develop action plans and laws for the colonies. The origins of our Constitution can be traced back to what became our first National Constitution, the Articles of Confederation. These articles were approved by Congress in 1777 and went into effect in March of 1781 following Maryland’s ratification.
The Articles of Confederation established “a firm league of friendship” among the states in the hope that the states would come together for their common defense (McClenaghan). Under these Articles, Congress was the sole body of government, unicameral, with each state having one vote in Congress. The most important powers given to Congress were the ability to make war and peace, set up a monetary system and settle disputes among the States.
The weaknesses of the Articles of Confederation were significant. Congress lacked the ability to tax; it could not …show more content…
The meeting was successful and set the precedent for meetings between the states to discuss areas of mutual concern specifically a federal plan to regulate commerce (McClenaghan). Movements to overhaul the Articles of Confederation were further developed by James Madison in 1786 when delegates from five states met in Annapolis, Maryland (207). The delegates at the Annapolis meeting asked Congress to develop more provisions for the Articles that were necessary for the Union to survive (207). Even though the turn out for the meeting was small, it provided an opportunity for the delegates to petition Congress to approve a second meeting in Philadelphia in May of

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