The Articles Of Confederation's Failure Of The Federal Government

During the construction of early American policy, two distinct political factions formed in regards to the Constitution. These factions were divided by their different belief in how power should be balanced among the federal government and state government. Those in support of the U.S. Constitution, were titled Federalists. These Federalists desired a strong central government, supreme over the states. On the other hand, those opposed to the Constitution were called Anti-federalists. However, just because they were not in favor of the Constitution, did not make them unpatriotic or tyrants. The Anti-feds wished for a weaker federal government, in which the states had more power. This ideology of a greater amount of state power was derailed by the Articles of Confederation’s failure. It failed because the federal government was too weak. Ultimately, the Federalists reigned supreme and this decision continues to dictate modern day government.

One significant source of executive strength in the original Constitution includes the Supremacy Clause. The Supremacy Clause formally establishes that the national government, treaties, and Constitution reign supreme over state government. The Supremacy Clause directly grants the federal government with more power. Another feature of the original constitution that gives the national government more power are the implied powers. The implied powers grant the national government with the power to create “all laws necessary and proper for carrying into execution.” This corresponds with the Elastic Clause which authorizes congress to pass these laws. These clauses in the Constitution expand the Central Government’s power to an