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Effects Of The Articles Of Confederation Dbq

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The Articles of Confederation was an ineffective government, failing both externally and internally due to a weak central government. Externally, other nations refused to trade with America and disputed over territorial gain. Internally, the Articles of Confederation had little distinct power over the states forcing a split into differing political parties and social stratification. With a lack in both external and internal control, the negative aspects of the Articles of Confederation helped the nation towards the positives of the Constitution. The external turmoil in the forms of trade and territories, led to economic instability in the United States. Still angered by the American Revolution, Britain refused to repeal the Navigation Laws or open the West Indies to the United States. Thus, the market value of exports to Great Britain remained at a constant despite the extreme rise in population after the revolution (Doc B). …show more content…

This abuse of American soil angered colonists, and many demanded to impose importation restrictions upon Britain. The Articles of Confederation could not control commerce, and states could not agree on the same tariff policies. Ultimately, Britain had “restrictions on our trade to incapacitate our merchants” and that the United States should “be put… into possession of all the posts and territories within their limits” (Doc D). After the Treaty of Paris, the British should not have control over American land that the United States were promised nor American commerce. Spain had a similar relationship to America, with disputes over land as well as trade. Spain closed the Mississippi River, and in response, John Jay wanted to solve both

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