After the American Revolution was won and the Treaty of Paris formally recognized the United States of America as a country, there was still much to do . Major parts of the country were in shambles, and there was a strong need for a central government. At the time, many states drafted their own state governments, but soon realized that a national government was needed, so delegates went to the Second Continental Congress to draft the Articles of Confederation. Though it provided a legislative branch of government with one house that had the power to declare war, had the power to make treaties, and could also borrow money to pay debts, it was nothing more than a declaration of friendship between the colonies . The weaknesses of the Articles were apparent after the government showed helplessness after ShayÃÂs Rebellion. The governor of Massachusetts asked Congress to send troops, but they didnÃÂt have the money or the men to send aid .
The Articles of Conferderation, ratified in 1781. ...
Act of Maryland legislature to ratify Articles of ...
The Articles of Confederation, ratified in 1781. T...It also exposed the fact that the Articles of Confederation also failed to see that the states would adequately protect the rights and liberties of all their citizens .
In the process of writing the Articles of Confederation so that it would not resemble a parliamentary government like Great BritainÃÂs, the authors unintentionally created many problems pertaining to centralized power. The states kept their sovereignty which made it seem like there were thirteen separate countries rather than thirteen states unified together to create a country. There was no executive branch which translated into no follow through on decisions and there was a lack of leadership of the armed forces. No standing army meant that there was constant internal strife and state conflict, as well as making the threat of external invasion very real. There was also no trade regulation,