Overview: The Articles of Confederation written by the second continental congress, came in effect on March 1, 1781, was the first constitution of the United States. The articles established a weak central government which led the states having more power and creating conflict. The Articles of Confederation lacked the power of trade and commerce, states had separate currencies, and even different militias. Although the Articles of Confederation were scraped, it became a learning point and the basis of our constitution that has lasted over 200 years and counting. Assessment Question #1: In Letters from the Federal Farmer to the Republican, by Richard Lee, Lee declares that the states had more power so that they could prevent “usurpation [illegal grab of power, authority or sovereignty]”(746) from the national government. Before the Articles, the colonies were ruled by the British crown where the national government had all the power and its power did not have to be justified. At first, the articles appeared very attractive to the Framers because of this change in polarity- from extreme monarch to extreme state independence. However, years after the system took off, the framers realized that this system of government was not working because the national government had very little, if any, power. …show more content…
According to article 2, “Each state retains its sovereignty [ the ability to make one’s own laws and govern oneself], freedom and independence, and every power, jurisdiction and right”(740), this article gives the state’s power to create any law of their own and ignore any other laws the central government