Mansour 1

Hend Mansour

Mr. Edgar

History 17a

March 25, 2025

From Articles to Constitution

The American revolution, a war in which the colonies were seeking independence from

Britain created debt for the American government. Fighting a long and costly war required lots

of resources and supplies and the Continental congress relied on loans from foreign countries to

help them win the war. Under the Articles of Confederation the national government struggled to

repay debts after the war ended. This financial weakness exposed the problems if the

confederation system had congress could only request funds from the states which states often

refused or were unable to contribute. The lack of revenue made it difficult to stabilize the

economy. Economic instability and rebellions combined with other problems highlighted the

need for a stronger federal government and the flaws of the confederation system; ultimately

leading to the constitutional convention where the US constitution was drafted to create a

stronger national government.

The republic was on the verge of chaos after the revolution ended due to economic

hardships and a weak central government. The revolutionaries deliberately chose a political

system that lacked a strong central government because they feared that too much power in one

place would lead to tyranny much like the British rule. Their experiences under King George III,

where laws and taxes were imposed on the colonists without consent made them deeply distrust

any centralized authority. As a result, they designed a system under the Articles of Confederation

that limited central authority and instead most of the power remained with the individual states
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while keeping the federal government weak. This decentralised structure was also influenced by

the vast geographical distance between the states, increasing distrust in the strong central

government. With poor transportation methods and communication methods, people felt that

politicians were far too removed from their local issue leading to a lack of unity and commitment

to a unified government. As the nation struggled with economic instability and political

disorganization, its identity as the “United States” was still uncertain; raising the question about

whether the young republic could survive under such a fragmented system.

To help lessen the burden of the nation's troubles, the political leaders adopted the

confederation model. Under this system, each state was entrusted with the task to legislate its

own constitutions; meaning each state had its own laws and operated almost like an independent

country. However, even at the state level, there was a deep fear of tyranny and concentrated

power. In response, each state elected a governor, but their power was limited by a legislature to

prevent any single leader becoming too powerful. Additionally, state legislatures were divided

into two houses: the upper house that represented the wealthy minority, where they protected

their own interests, and the lower house, which represented the common people and ensured the

elite did not abuse their power. With the system being built on paranoia, they had constant

checks and balances to prevent any group from dominating the other. The people of the nation

sought to create a government that would protect individual liberties such as freedom of speech,

religion, press. This structure reflected their belief that no single person or group should hold too

much control, due to their experiences with British rule. It also demonstrated their desire for a

government that was accountable to the people, where laws and decisions were made through

collective debate rather than by a powerful executive. However, while this system protected
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against authoritarianism, it also created inefficiencies and made it difficult for governments to

respond quickly to crises or enforce national policies.

Under a confederation of a limited central government,the national government had little

authority against the states, leaving it weak and ineffective. Its primary responsibilities were to

manage foreign relations and mediate disputes between states. However, with its main

responsibilities being so limited, the central government lacked the authority to address critical

domestic issues effectively or help regulate the economy. Without the ability to levy taxes, the

government could not raise funds to meet national needs, including maintaining an army.

Additionally, the inability to regulate commerce or establish a unified currency created economic

disorganization and tension between states.

Without the ability to maintain an army, the nation was unable to protect itself from both

external and internal threats. In the Ohio Country, for example, rising tensions between

American settlers and Native American tribes led to violent conflicts, resulting in the deaths of

many U.S. soldiers. The government’s inability to rebuild the military left settlers vulnerable and

exposed the weakness of the Confederation system. Similarly, the U.S. Navy was underfunded

and had too few ships to defend the nation’s coasts and rivers. As a result, American merchants

became easy targets for pirates, leading to hundreds being captured and sold into slavery. These

military shortcomings revealed the federal government's inability to protect its people and defend

national interests.

​ Financial struggles further weakened the young republic and intensified tensions with

Britain. Under Article 4 of the Treaty of Paris, the U.S. was required to repay its debt to Britain.

However, without the power to levy taxes, the government could not raise the necessary funds.

As long as these debts remain unpaid, Britain maintained its occupation of the Northwest
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Territory, undermining U.S. sovereignty over its own land. Additionally, Spain denied the U.S.

access to the Mississippi River, which blocked westward expansion and restricted economic

growth. The inability to challenge Spain’s control highlighted the government's lack of authority

and military power. These challenges demonstrated the fundamental weaknesses of the

Confederation system. While the revolutionaries designed a decentralized government to prevent

tyranny, this limited structure left the nation vulnerable to external aggression, economic

instability, and territorial disputes. The failure to address these critical issues revealed the urgent

need for a stronger, centralized government capable of defending the nation and managing its

economic and diplomatic affairs.

​ However, people like Robert Morris tried to create tax proposals to help gain revenue.

Morris, who was the head of the treasury, proposed a 5% tax on imports to raise money for the

federal government. Although most of the states agreed, Rhode Island refused, preventing the

proposal from being passed. This failure highlighted how any state could block national policy,

making it hard for the government to address urgent financial problems. Without a reliable

source of revenue, the federal government could not assist struggling citizens or pay off war

debts, creating widespread economic hardship. This financial strain fell heavily on farmers and

working-class Americans, leading to increasing unrest like Shays’ Rebellion.​

​ In 1787, farmers in Pennsylvania refused to pay their debts. Burdened by heavy taxes,

they demanded the government issue paper currency instead of relying on gold coins to make

payment easier. When the Pennsylvania government refused, Daniel Shays led an uprising

known as Shays’ rebellion. Ultimately, wealthy citizens organized and funded a private militia to

suppress the rebellion The rebellion highlighted the inability of the confederation government to

maintain order and enforce laws to protest the rights of the citizens.
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​ In order to create a better effective government that represented the people, the nation

needed to take action and reform its existing system. In 1787, 55 delegates from different states

met at Independence Hall in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania to revise the powers of the

Confederation to address its weakness. The key challenge was to create a new government

without weakening state sovereignty because the Delegates understood that states would not

accept a strong federal government that took away their power. First the delegates had to figure

out how to elect government leaders. People like Roger Sherman (Connecticut) and Elbridge

Gerry (Massachusetts) proposed that men of property should elect legislative leaders. But

wealthy men thought they should elect because they had better judgment and many delegates

mistrusted the common people, believing they were ruled by passions rather than reason. They

feared that, if given the vote, the masses would elect tyrants who would steal from public funds

and oppress the people. George Mason of Virginia disagreed with limiting the vote to the

wealthy. He argued that denying the people the right to vote would lead to aristocracy, similar to

the British system. The Delegates created a bicameral legislature where they created the House

of Representatives which were elected by the people and a senate which was elected by the state

legislature. The representation was structured in which Each state had two senators and one

representation was allocated for every 30,000 inhabitants. This made power divided to prevent

either the wealthy elite or the common majority from dominating the government.

​ Because the House of Representatives was represented by the white population, southern

states feared they would be underrepresented because the south had a large population of slaves.

So, the congress created a solution in which 5 slaves would be counted as 3 free persons (3/5th

rule) for representation and taxation purposes. By being considered 3/5th of a person slaves

were seen as inhumane because they weren't even considered a full person which was kind of
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dehumanizing of them. However the northern states felt that allowing slavery contradicted

America’s commitment to liberty. At the end they reached a comprise where the slave trade

would be abolished by 1808. This compromise however, planted the seeds for future conflict,

eventually contributing to the Civil War.

​ With the newly formed congress they were able to enforce things that they were unable to

do under the Articles of Confederation. They were able to issue currency, field armies, and

resolve disputes between states. To establish a strong yet balanced leadership structure, the

delegates agreed that the nation needed a unifying figure in the form of an executive leader, the

president. However, this decision sparked debate. Some, like James Wilson of Pennsylvania,

supported a single executive, arguing that it would ensure efficient decision-making and prevent

chaos. Others feared that concentrating power in one person would resemble monarchy, like

King George III’s rule. Roger Sherman even proposed a plural executive with one president from

free states and another from slave states to prevent regional dominance, but this idea was

ultimately rejected in favor of a single leader. Determining how to elect the president was also

argued. Some suggested Congress should choose the president, but this was dismissed over

concerns that it would give legislators too much control. A nationwide popular vote was also

debated, but slave-owning states feared that the larger population in free states would always

determine the outcome. The compromise was the Electoral College, where each state’s electors,

equal to its Congressional representation, would select the president. This system gave slave

states greater influence in elections. From there they set the term years and the role of the vice

president. The idea of having an executive branch provided leadership for the nation while

preventing the rise of tyranny.

Lastly, the delegates fiercely debated the inclusion of a Bill of Rights. While some

recognized its importance in protecting individual liberties, others viewed it as an unnecessary

delay to ratifying the Constitution. Many delegates, particularly farmers, were eager to return to

their states to manage their personal economic interests. There was also a belief that the Bill of

Rights was redundant, as many states had already included similar protections in their own

constitutions. Additionally, some worried that reopening debates over the Bill of Rights could

unravel the compromises already made and risk the entire Constitution’s failure. Despite these

concerns, voices like Richard Henry Lee of Virginia strongly advocated for its inclusion. Lee

argued that many Americans were unaware of the liberties the new nation promised, and he

feared that without explicit protections, those in power could trample on individual rights. He

believed that clearly defining these freedoms would not only safeguard them but also keep

citizens aware in defending their liberties. Thanks to the voices of leaders like Lee, the promise

of a Bill of Rights became a crucial factor in securing the Constitution’s ratification and ensuring

the individual rights of the people. On June 21, 1788 the constitution was officially ratified.

However, the adoption of the document was not without its challenges. The American people

had to adjust to the new system, and there were times when the sanctity of the Constitution was

questioned.

The weaknesses of the Articles of Confederation exposed the urgent need for a stronger,

more effective national government. The financial struggles, military vulnerabilities, and

political disorganization following the American Revolution highlighted the flaws of a

decentralized system and pushed the nation toward reform. The Constitutional Convention of

1787 sought to balance the need for a powerful central authority with the protection of individual

liberties and state sovereignty. Through compromises, such as the creation of a bicameral
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legislature, the Electoral College, and the Three-Fifths Compromise, the delegates crafted a

framework that aimed to unite the nation while addressing its diverse interests. The inclusion of a

Bill of Rights, by leaders like Richard Henry Lee, further ensured the protection of fundamental

freedoms. Although the ratification of the Constitution was met with debate and resistance, it

ultimately laid the foundation for a stronger, more unified republic. This new system of

government not only addressed the immediate crises facing the nation but also established

principles that continue to shape American democracy today.