II.

The Provisions of the Articles

The articles created a loose confederation of independent states that gave limited powers to a central government. The national government would consist of a single legislative chamber called Congress, where each state would have one vote. Congress had the power to set up a post office, to estimate the costs of the government and request donations from the states, to raise armed forces, and to control the development of the western territories. With the consent of 9 of the 13 states, Congress could also coin, borrow, or appropriate money as well as declare war and enter into treaties and alliances with foreign nations.

There was no independent executive and no veto of legislation. Judicial proceedings in each state were to be honoured by all other states. The federal government had no judicial branch, and the only judicial authority Congress had was the power to arbitrate on disputes between states. Congress was denied the power to raise money by collecting taxes; the new federal government was financed by donations from the states based on the value of each state’s lands. Any amendment to the articles required the unanimous approval of all 13 states.