United States Congress

Please post a response of at least 250-275 words, and a shorter response (approx. 125 words) to one of your fellow students.

ANSWER

USC M2 D Peer Reply- United States Congress

United States Congress

I agree with Jason that the Articles of confederation had flaws which led to the states becoming slow to accept and sign the document whose issues began with the fact that the government was constructed without an executive nor judicial branch. With time, the flaws in the Articles of Confederation became apparent with the Congress commanding little respect and no support from other state governments which made it anxious to maintain power. The government document could not allow the Congress to raise funds, conduct foreign policy or regulate trade without the voluntary agreement of the states (Dodd, 2013). The Congress had no balance with only one house and each state receiving only one vote regardless of their population.

One of the major concerns was raising tax. The central government could not be able to tax, leaving the young nation unable to repay the massive debt that was accumulated from the investors and European countries. The government could not provide common defense since there was no tax base to support the Navy or Army. I concur with Jason that if there was a well-financed militia under the articles with a solid standard of defensive structure, the central government would find it challenging to conduct a singular foreign policy. Additionally, there was no central currency with every state circulating their ability.

The United States Constitution came from the convention which addressed the national security and stability throughout the first four articles. The constitution was aimed at ensuring domestic tranquility, establishing justice, providing common defense, promoting general welfare and securing the liberty and prosperity of the people (Dodd, 2013). The Constitution addressed the major constraints in the Articles of Confederation which were to ensure stability and promoting national security through common defense. The main reasons for the establishment of the United States Constitution is to have a government that insures domestic tranquility, establishes justice, secures the blessings of liberty, provides common defense and promotes the general welfare. I general the United States Constitution helped in creating a federal government with adequate power to directly act upon citizens rather than narrowly acting on limited power thus creating a stronger nation with stability and common defense.

References

Dodd, L. C. (2013). Congress reconsidered. Cq Press.