What fundamental problem did Noah Webster see in the articles of confederation ?

History · Middle School · Wed Jan 13 2021

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Noah Webster, like many other Founding Fathers, identified several fundamental problems in the Articles of Confederation, the first constitution of the United States. One of the key issues he saw was the weakness of the central government under the Articles.

The Articles of Confederation established a loose union of states with a weak central government that lacked the authority to levy taxes, regulate commerce or enforce its laws effectively. This led to several problems:

  1. Financial Instability: The central government couldn't levy taxes, which resulted in chronic financial problems. It couldn't adequately fund the military, pay off debts or support national programs.
  2. Lack of Unity: Each state had its own currency and trade regulations, leading to economic conflicts and hindering interstate commerce. This lack of unity weakened the nation's economic stability.
  3. Ineffective Governance: The central government lacked the power to enforce laws uniformly across all states, leading to challenges in maintaining order and unity among the states.

Webster, along with other Founding Fathers, advocated for a stronger central government that could address these weaknesses and create a more stable and unified nation. This led to the Constitutional Convention of 1787, where the Articles of Confederation were eventually replaced by the United States Constitution, which established a stronger federal government with expanded powers to address these deficiencies.






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