Articles of Confederation
Research papers on the Articles of Confederation illustrate that it was the original agreement between the first 13 American states to form a national government. The plan was originated in the middle of 1776 by the Second Continental Congress and ratified by 1781.Your research paper will want to show how it was a loose confederation with a weak central government, and was quickly replaced by the U.S. Constitution of 1787, which went into effect in 1789.
Articles of Confederation and the Declaration of Independence
Following the Declaration of Independence, a committee, led by John Dickinson was formed to create a national government framework. By 1777, this draft was sent to the states for ratification. Two of its major weaknesses were the inability of the government to conduct foreign policy and inability to collect taxes. Congress could only request money from the states, a situation that frequently left the federal government short of cash. The states also retained control over their own commerce, making thirteen different trade policies in one nation. The Articles of Confederation can be read at the Library of Congress.
The Articles of Confederation were not without success. The Northwest Ordinance of 1787 not only created territorial governments, but established procedures for admitting new states into the Union. Under this system, the following states were created:
- Ohio
- Indiana
- Illinois
- Michigan
- Wisconsin
However, by 1786 the limitations to the Articles were apparent. The Annapolis Convention that year called for a Constitutional Convention to meet in Philadelphia.
Related Research Paper Topic Suggestions
American and French Revolutions - American and French Revolutions research papers that examine how revolutionary were the American Revolution and the French Revolution. Custom written history research papers - plagiarism free!
American Colonies - American Colonies research papers discuss America in the Seventeenth and Eighteenth Centuries under British Mercantilism. Paper Masters provides a perfect example research paper.
Colonial America - Colonial America research papers discuss the British colonization of the east coast from 1620 - 1650.
Colonial Government - Colonial Government Research Papers delve into the relationship between Native American Leaders and the Colonist Leaders.
Committee of Five - Committee of Five research papers examine the group of men charged by the Second Continental Congress with drafting the Declaration of Independence.
Declaration of Independence - Declaration of Independence term papers examine the document that was created and signed to announce the 13 American Colonies declaring their freedom from England and British rule.
James Madison - Research papers on James Madison look into one of the Founding Fathers of the United States of America.
Robert R. Livingston - Robert R. Livingston research papers examine one of America’s Founding Fathers and organizors of the Declaration of Independence.
Roger Sherman - Roger Sherman research papers examine one of America’s Founding Fathers.
Stamp Act - Stamp Act research papers examine the British Government's tax requiring all printed material in the colonies to be produced on specific paper, produced in London, and carrying an official stamp.
Tea Act - Tea Act research papers reveal the history of the Boston Tea Party in the American Colonies.