Articles Of Confederation Dbq Analysis

When the United States first gained their independence from Britain they needed to create a strong government for their colonies. The United States created their first government called the Articles of Confederation. The Articles came with many problems like no power to tax, no power to enforce the law, or regulate commerce. 10 years after having a weak government, they believed that a new type of government need to be created in order to become a strong government. They came up with the Constitution. The Constitution had to be ratified by 9 states in order to become America’s official government. In the states were supporters of the Constitution and opposers. Federalists were people that wanted the Constitution to be ratified and those

Federalists knew that another self-governing government would only lead to a weak system just like the Articles lead them to failure. Thomas R. Frazier said, “View these things, fellow citizens, and then say that we do not require a new, a protecting, and efficient federal government if you can.” (Doc #1) Frazier is stating that America is in great need of a federal government, that they need educated and knowledgeable people to lead their country. He also means that in order to maintain their freedom and independence they would need a government to protect their rights they fought for. Creating three branches to avoid congress from becoming too powerful and keep everything under control was a much better way than having just one branch like in the Articles of Confederation. Another federalist named Jonathan Elliot said , “ … it is the opinion of this Convention that certain amendments and alterations in the said Constitution would remove the fears and quiet the apprehensions of many of the good people of the commonwealth.” (Doc #6) Elliot is stating that with few alterations, limiting the Constitutions power and allowing the states to make some decisions would change the Anti-Federalists mind and therefore they would create the Bill of rights to limit the

Anti-federalists felt as if the Constitution was a threat for the United States and it would only be the beginning of becoming a corrupt country. Amos Singletree said in his speech, “These lawyers and men of learning, and monied men, that talk so finely and gloss over matters so smoothly, to make us poor illiterate people swallow down the pill, expect to get into Congress themselves… and get all the power and all the money…” (Doc #5) Singletree was giving his reason on why he opposed the Constitution, mentioning that most of the congress men that want to ratify the constitution that just want to take advantage of them. He meant that once the Constitution was ratified they would be robbed from their rights, have all their money taken away, and have total control of America in their hands. The anti-federalists also argued that once the Constitution went into effect, everyone's rights would not be protected. Mercy Otis Warren also opposed the Constitution saying that, “...There is no provision for a rotation nor anything else to prevent a political office from remaining in the same hands for life.” (Doc #2) Warren worried that one person ruling up to death would give him too much power and leading him to believe he is superior and eventually