Articles of Confederation

Overview =

• = a loose "confederation" of independent states
  • it was called "a firm league of friendship"
• = provided ineffective national organization, with the particular defects of:
  • lack of direct representation from the population
  • absence of an independent executive
  • inability to tax
  • absence of regulatory power of interstate and international trade
  • absence of a national judiciary
  • supermajority requirement (9/13 states) to pass laws
    • meant that only a few states need dissent to stop proposed changes
  • total majority (all states) in order to adjust the Articles