The statement t h a t the Confederation
provided the United States with an effective form of
government during the Critical Period in American
history is false. Although i t had one major
accomplishment,the settling of the Northwest
territory,the Confederation could not effectively
deal with foreign policy,domestic policy,and
enforce decisions. By citing examples during the
Critical Period and by using several historical
documents,this essay will show the ineffectiveness
Secondly, the Spanish also refused to respect the American
states while they bound by this loose confederation. During
the period in American history, Spain closed off the mouth
of the mississippi (sic) to the Americans and refused to
budge or compromise on this matter. John Jay's speech to
Congress on the negotiations with Spain's Don Diego de
Gardoqui shows that the Spanish refused to allow the Us to
navigate the mississippi (sic). It also illustrates Spain's lack
of respect for American negotiators because this Treaty
was never signed. As Gardoqui alluded to in Jay's speech,
the states were too divided on issues in the west to sign the
treaty. As a result, the vote needed was never acquired to
ratify the treaty. The Articles were a laughing stock to the
As a result of inability to effectively
negotiate foreign policy,maintain and establish
domestic policy,and enforce decisions,the central
government under the Articles of confederation
did not provide America with an effective
government between 1781 and 1789. The
documents and events of the period illustrate this
...