Shortly after the American Revolution took place, the Articles of Confederation were created to create a stronger and more effective government. However, the Articles of Confederation lead to the result of a weak and ineffective government. The two main issues of the Articles of Confederation creating a weak and ineffective government were political and economic issues. Even though the Articles of Confederation stated that many political advances take place, there were many political issues that the Articles of Confederation had no control over. This caused many issues in the government having the ability to take control. (Document D) The first incident that showed a weak government was the Tory property not being returned to the British soldiers. In reaction to this, they refused to leave and they also blocked the Mississippi River (Document F). This shows that the government was so weak that they choose not to even act upon this incident. (Document F)The Spanish refused to let the Americans use the Mississippi River for trade, even though they had agreed on it in the Treaty of Paris of 1783. This showed lack of enforcement because in the Treaty of Paris, 1783 it clearly stated that the Mississippi River would be open to everyone’s use. This caused the people to worry about rebellion, as a reaction to the weak government (Document G). Not only were there many political issues taking place, but there were many economic issues as well. (Document A)Trade is an issue because other countries start to refuse to purchase goods from America. (Document B) After America gains their independence trade becomes an even bigger issue because the government cannot regulate trade. Since there is no regulation of trade it begins to create many problems in America and the government. (Document C) However, trade was not the only economic issue America was facing. America didn’t have any money to pay the soldiers from the war, which later created Shay’s Rebellion. This shows that the government was so economically weak, that they could not provide for the people. These documents in addition to background information prove that the Articles of confederation provided a weak and ineffective government. They also prove that the main reasons for the government’s failure were political and economic issues.
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