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The Writing of the United States Constitution

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The Writing of The United States Constitution

The Articles of Confederation were drafted in 1777 by a committee appointed by the Continental Congress, led by John Dickinson of Delaware, and ratified by the states in 1781. They were written to provide a general government for the thirteen states. The writers of the Articles of Confederation drafted this document during a time of war with Britain. The colonies feared having a centralized power in their government so most of the powers were placed in the hands of the individual states. Most important was Article II which reads “Each state retains its sovereignty, freedom, and independence, and every Power, Jurisdiction, and right, which is not by this confederation expressly delegated to the United States, in Congress assembled.” (Mount, Articles of Confederation) So even though Article I reads The Stile of this Confederacy shall be "The United States of America” (Mount) the states were not united for each would govern themselves and instead a “league of friendship” was formed between the states.
The national government was given some powers by the Articles of the Confederacy but it had no authority to enforce these powers. The Confederation Congress could declare war and make treaties but without an army and no ability to levy taxes Congress had to depend on the states to provide the men and the means to declare war. Each state had the right to coin money and to regulate commerce. Each state, no matter their size or population had the right to one vote in the matters of Congress. Some other faults with the document were that there was no federal court system, no provisions for interstate trade and commerce, and 13 of 13 states were needed to amend the Articles of Confederation.
Just two years after the Articles of Confederation were ratified, Thomas Jefferson writes in a letter to Edmund Randolph: “I find …

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