Linked from

The 26 pages that link to Articles of Confederation, each with the reason it gives.

• American RevolutionBroader topic: The states' initial national government reflected deep suspicion of centralized power.

• FederalismRelated: Its limitations prompted debate over replacing a confederation with a stronger federal union.

• Constitution of the United StatesCompared with: Its weak central government shaped the case for replacing it with the Constitution.

• United StatesCompared with: Its weak central government preceded the stronger federal system established by the Constitution.

• American Revolutionary WarRelated: The new states first governed their union under this wartime-era framework.

• United States CongressCompared with: Its weaknesses prompted the Constitutional Convention to design a stronger legislature.

• James MadisonCompared with: Madison’s criticism of the Confederation government helped motivate his proposals for a stronger union.

• Alexander HamiltonCompared with: Hamilton’s financial proposals addressed weaknesses in the confederation’s limited fiscal authority.

• ConfederationBroader topic: It created a weak central government whose shortcomings prompted a new constitution.

• Thirteen ColoniesRelated: The former colonies first organized their union under this deliberately limited national government.

• President of the United StatesCompared with: Its lack of a separate, powerful executive shaped the case for creating the presidency.

• The Federalist PapersCompared with: The essays defend replacing this framework with a stronger national government.

• Federalism in the United StatesNarrower topic: Their limits prompted the 1787 convention to design a stronger national government.

• Northwest OrdinanceNarrower topic: Congress enacted the ordinance under this government, which had limited power over national affairs.

• Whiskey RebellionCompared with: Its weak central government contrasts with the taxing power contested in the rebellion.

• Constitutional ConventionCompared with: Its weak central government prompted delegates to consider a new framework.

• Anti-FederalismNarrower topic: They were the existing national framework that the proposed Constitution would replace.

• Continental CongressRelated: They gave formal structure to the government Congress had administered during the war.

• Law of the United StatesRelated: Its weak national government prompted the creation of the current constitutional framework.

• U.S. stateRelated: It established a confederation of states before the present constitutional system.

• American political historyBroader topic: Its weaknesses prompted disputes over national power and a stronger constitutional framework.

• Colonial history of the United StatesRelated: The new republic’s first national framework followed directly from colonial separation.

• Daniel ShaysCompared with: The rebellion exposed how difficult it was for the Confederation Congress to assist Massachusetts.

• Federal government of the United StatesCompared with: Its weak central authority prompted demands for a stronger national government.

• Robert R. LivingstonRelated: Livingston supported the Confederation government while serving as its secretary for foreign affairs.

• Shays's RebellionNarrower topic: Its weak central government lacked the power and resources to suppress the uprising directly.