jan 1, 1781 - Articles of Confederation

Description:

[1781 - 1789]

Unicameral legislature (congress) with no executive or judicial branches
- each state had one vote, regardless of size or population
- limited fed. power

Congress could:
- declare war & make peace
- conduct foreign diplomacy
- issue currency & manage a postal system

Congress could not:
- levy taxes
- regulate trade between states or with foreign nations
- enforce laws, states hat to comply voluntarily

Strengths:
- won the American Revolution war
- Northwest Ordinance (1787): established rules for admitting/governing states

Weaknesses:
- independent states
- weak central gov.
- shay's rebellion

Effect:
- got replaced by the U.S. Constitution

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