Articles of Confederation
The Articles of Confederation adopted in 1777 were designed to provide an effective form of government, but did nothing of the sort. Although the Confederation attempted to strengthen foreign relations by maintaining peace with Great Britain and Spain, it failed. It also tried to better the nation's economic conditions through means of taxation and an increase in the national government's power, neither of which worked. Ultimately, the Articles of Confederation were unsuccessful and only added to the stack of problems the nation had to fix. The rest of the world did not think highly of the Confederation, making it challenging for it to convince Great Britain and Spain to honor their part of the peace treaty of 1783. The British had agreed to repay all slaveowners whose slaves had been seized by the British army, as well as promise to leave the United States. The British did not follow through with either of these agreements. John Adams was sent to London as a minister to res
olve such issues, but returned with no such achievement. This idea was met with large opposition. The United States diplomats agreed to a treaty with Spain promising American recognition of Spanish possessions in North America and a an agreement that the United States would only have the rights to navigate the Mississippi for twenty years in return for the acceptance of the American views of the Florida border. A serious problem of debts arose, adding to a brutal depression that had already begun. No matter how many attempts were made to improve the nation's situation, the Confederation was only a disappointment. The Confederation had to deal with the people of the nation's debt, as well as their own outstanding debt. Great Britain declined to even send a minister to the American capital. The United States had land issues with the Spanish over the border between the United States and Florida, which was owned by Spain. Nationalists searched for ways to increase the national government's power in order for it to fix its financial crisis. Foreign tribulations appeared again when the Confederation tried to repair the country's economic troubles as well. The southern states refused to ratify the treaty, meaning the problems between the two countries would remain. Riots and mobs were formed, none of which the Confederation could control. These Confederates thought this would strengthen the national government as well as keep the nation's honor. The Articles of Confederation were ineffective when it came to dealing with foreign affairs and economic conditions.
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