Reforming the Articles of Confederation

Paper Summary:

This paper discusses the compromises made in the wording of the U.S. Articles of Confederation that led to the creation of the US Constitution and explains the controversies that existed between the Federalists and the anti-Federalists regarding these compromises. The paper also mentions the controversy between the northern and southern states and explains their difference opinions regarding the slave industry in particular.

From the Paper:

"Compromise is part of life--and it is also woven into the wording of U.S. Constitution. During the birth of America as a nation, the Founding Fathers were forced to meld together many fractious states that were accustomed to obeying their own customs, and had their own local culture. However, to survive as a modern nation-state, it was essential that America develop a coherent set of laws and a functional centralized government. The first controversy existed between the Federalists, who wanted a stronger national government, and the anti-Federalists, who merely wished to slightly strengthen the Articles of Confederation, for fear of creating a 'new king.' Ultimately, "federal laws were declared supreme, and the courts were expected to strike down incompatible state statutes. The centralizers achieved a genuine national government in federal balance with the states--the key, they believed, to preserving the republican legacy of the Revolution" (Stern 2008)."

Sample of Sources Used:

• "Constitutional Compromises." NY State Regents. Retrieved 12 Apr 2008. http://www.icsd.k12.ny.us/highschool/pjordan/ushonors/Regents%20Review/Review%20Lessons/Compromises.html
• Kelly, Martin. "What was the great compromise?" About.com. Retrieved 12 Apr 2008. http://americanhistory.about.com/od/usconstitution/f/greatcompromise.htm
• Stern, Jeffrey. "Federalists." American Foreign Relations. Retrieved 12 Apr 2008. http://www.americanforeignrelations.com/En-Fl/Federalists.html

More papers on Reforming the Articles of Confederation:

• Analytical Essay # 40116 : "The Articles of Confederation"
• Term Paper # 120420 : "A Time For Reform"
• Term Paper # 137031 : "United States Government and Politics"

APA Citation:

MLA Citation: