Beginning of Essay
As the first written constitution of the United States, the Articles of Confederation created a legislature where each state was represented equally. The Congress had jurisdiction over foreign relations with the authority to form alliances and make treaties, make ....

Middle of Essay
.... overwhelmed the nation. Another obstacle in effective governing was that The Articles did not grant Congress the power to enforce its laws, instead depending on voluntary compliance by the states. In place of executive and judicial branches, The Articles created an inefficient committee system branching out of Congress. Most importantly, any amendment to the Articles of Confederation required the ratification by all the states, a measure that virtually eliminated any chance of change. The negatives of The Articles gradually magnified. The British refused to evacuate from forts in the American Old Northwest. Finally, Shay's rebellion in Massach ....