What Did The Confederation Congress Accomplish

The Enduring Legacy: What Did the Confederation Congress Accomplish?

The Confederation Congress, often overshadowed by its successor, the Constitutional Convention, played a crucial role in the formative years of the United States. Operating under the Articles of Confederation, the first governing document of the newly independent nation, the Congress faced immense challenges in unifying a diverse and fractured populace after the Revolutionary War. While often criticized for its weaknesses, particularly its inability to effectively regulate commerce and enforce national laws, the Confederation Congress achieved several significant milestones that laid the groundwork for the more robust federal government established by the Constitution. Its accomplishments, ranging from successfully concluding the Revolutionary War to establishing foundational land ordinances, deserve careful consideration to fully understand the genesis of the American republic.

This period, from 1781 to 1789, was a tumultuous one. The euphoria of independence quickly gave way to the practical realities of governing a nation burdened by debt, internal divisions, and external threats. The Articles of Confederation, intentionally designed to avoid replicating the strong central authority of the British monarchy, created a weak national government with limited powers. Despite these limitations, the Confederation Congress navigated treacherous waters and established critical precedents that shaped the future of the United States.

Setting the Stage: The Articles of Confederation and its Context

To truly appreciate the accomplishments of the Confederation Congress, it's essential to understand the historical context in which it operated and the specific structure of the government it oversaw. The Articles of Confederation, ratified in 1781, represented a conscious reaction to the centralized power of the British monarchy. The states, having just fought a war to secure their independence, were wary of creating another powerful central authority. As such, the Articles established a "league of friendship" among the thirteen states, with each state retaining significant autonomy and sovereignty.

Key features of the Articles of Confederation included:

A Unicameral Legislature: The Congress was composed of a single legislative body, with each state having one vote regardless of its population size.
Limited Powers: The national government had limited powers, primarily focused on foreign affairs, declaring war, making treaties, and managing relations with Native American tribes. It lacked the power to tax directly, regulate interstate commerce, or enforce its laws effectively.
No Executive or Judicial Branch: The Articles did not establish a separate executive or judicial branch. Executive functions were handled by committees of Congress, and disputes between states were often resolved through arbitration.
Unanimous Consent for Amendments: Amending the Articles required the unanimous consent of all thirteen states, making it exceedingly difficult to adapt the government to changing circumstances.

These features, while intended to safeguard states' rights and prevent tyranny, ultimately proved to be significant weaknesses. The lack of a strong central government hampered the nation's ability to address pressing economic and political challenges. However, within the constraints of this system, the Confederation Congress managed to achieve several important objectives.

Major Accomplishments of the Confederation Congress

Despite its inherent limitations, the Confederation Congress left an indelible mark on American history through several key achievements:

Successfully Concluding the Revolutionary War: Perhaps the most significant accomplishment of the Confederation Congress was its role in bringing the Revolutionary War to a successful conclusion. While the Continental Army, led by General George Washington, bore the brunt of the fighting, the Congress provided essential support by:
- Negotiating the Treaty of Paris (1783): The Congress appointed a delegation of skilled diplomats, including Benjamin Franklin, John Adams, and John Jay, to negotiate a peace treaty with Great Britain. The Treaty of Paris officially recognized the independence of the United States, established its boundaries, and secured fishing rights off the coast of Newfoundland. This treaty was a major diplomatic victory for the fledgling nation, and it demonstrated the Congress's ability to effectively represent American interests on the world stage.
- Maintaining the Continental Army: Despite facing severe financial constraints, the Congress managed to keep the Continental Army intact throughout the war. Although plagued by shortages of supplies and pay, the army remained a potent fighting force, thanks to the dedication of its soldiers and the leadership of General Washington. The Congress authorized the creation of the Purple Heart to honor soldiers.
- Securing Foreign Alliances: The Congress successfully cultivated alliances with France, Spain, and the Netherlands, which provided crucial military and financial assistance to the American cause. French support, in particular, was instrumental in securing victory at the Battle of Yorktown, the decisive battle of the war.
Establishing the Land Ordinance of 1785: This landmark legislation established a standardized system for surveying and selling western lands, which were ceded to the United States by the states. The Land Ordinance:
- Divided the land into townships: Each township was a six-mile square, further divided into 36 sections of one square mile (640 acres) each.
- Designated Section 16 for public education: This provision demonstrated the Congress's commitment to education and established a precedent for federal support of public schools.
- Provided for orderly settlement: The standardized system of surveying and selling land prevented chaotic land grabs and ensured a more equitable distribution of land.
- Generated revenue for the government: The sale of western lands provided a much-needed source of revenue for the financially strapped national government.
Enacting the Northwest Ordinance of 1787: This ordinance established a framework for governing the Northwest Territory, which encompassed present-day Ohio, Indiana, Illinois, Michigan, and Wisconsin. The Northwest Ordinance:
- Established a process for territorial governance: It outlined the steps by which a territory could become a state, ensuring a smooth transition from territorial status to full membership in the Union.
- Guaranteed fundamental rights and liberties: It included provisions for freedom of religion, trial by jury, and other essential rights.
- Prohibited slavery in the Northwest Territory: This provision had a profound impact on the future of the United States, as it prevented the spread of slavery into a vast region of the country.
- Promoted education: The ordinance declared that "religion, morality, and knowledge, being necessary to good government and the happiness of mankind, schools and the means of education shall forever be encouraged."
The Land Ordinance and the Northwest Ordinance are widely regarded as the most significant achievements of the Confederation Congress. They provided a blueprint for westward expansion and established important principles of governance that continue to shape the United States today.
Establishing Departments of Government: While lacking a formal executive branch, the Confederation Congress established several departments to manage the affairs of the national government. These included:
- The Department of Foreign Affairs: Responsible for conducting foreign policy and negotiating treaties with other nations.
- The Department of War: Responsible for overseeing the Continental Army and managing national defense.
- The Department of Finance: Responsible for managing the national debt and overseeing the government's finances.
These departments, while limited in scope and authority, laid the foundation for the modern executive branch of the United States government.
Maintaining Peace and Order: The Confederation Congress faced numerous challenges in maintaining peace and order within the newly independent nation. The Congress:
- Addressed disputes between states: The Congress often served as a mediator in disputes between states over issues such as land claims and trade.
- Suppressed Shays' Rebellion: Shays' Rebellion, an uprising of indebted farmers in Massachusetts in 1786, highlighted the weaknesses of the Confederation government. While the rebellion was ultimately put down by the Massachusetts state militia, it underscored the need for a stronger national government capable of maintaining order.

The Shortcomings and the Road to the Constitution

Despite its accomplishments, the Confederation Congress was ultimately unable to overcome the inherent weaknesses of the Articles of Confederation. The lack of a strong central government hampered the nation's ability to address pressing economic and political challenges. Key shortcomings included:

Financial Instability: The Congress lacked the power to tax directly, relying instead on requisitions from the states. However, the states often failed to meet their obligations, leaving the national government perpetually short of funds. This financial instability undermined the government's ability to pay its debts, maintain a standing army, and effectively carry out its other responsibilities.
Trade Barriers: The lack of a uniform national currency and the absence of federal regulation of interstate commerce led to trade barriers between the states. These barriers hampered economic growth and created friction between the states.
Inability to Enforce Laws: The Congress lacked the power to enforce its laws effectively. It could only request compliance from the states, but it had no means of compelling them to obey. This weakness undermined the authority of the national government and made it difficult to address issues such as smuggling and piracy.
Weak National Defense: The lack of a strong central government left the nation vulnerable to external threats. The Continental Army was drastically reduced in size after the Revolutionary War, and the national government lacked the resources to maintain a strong navy.

These shortcomings ultimately led to the calling of the Constitutional Convention in Philadelphia in 1787. The delegates to the convention, recognizing the inadequacies of the Articles of Confederation, drafted a new Constitution that established a stronger federal government with the power to tax, regulate commerce, and enforce its laws. The Constitution, ratified in 1788, replaced the Articles of Confederation and ushered in a new era in American history.

Conclusion: A Foundation for the Future

The Confederation Congress, while often remembered for its weaknesses, played a vital role in the formative years of the United States. It successfully concluded the Revolutionary War, established important principles of westward expansion, and laid the foundation for the modern executive branch. Its achievements, particularly the Land Ordinance of 1785 and the Northwest Ordinance of 1787, continue to shape the United States today.

While the Confederation Congress ultimately proved inadequate to the task of governing a growing nation, its experiences provided valuable lessons that informed the drafting of the Constitution. The failures of the Articles of Confederation highlighted the need for a stronger central government with the power to address pressing economic and political challenges. The successes of the Confederation Congress, such as its ability to negotiate treaties and establish land policies, demonstrated the potential of a unified nation.

In conclusion, the Confederation Congress was a transitional government that bridged the gap between the Revolutionary War and the establishment of the United States under the Constitution. Its accomplishments, though often overshadowed by its shortcomings, deserve recognition as important steps in the evolution of American democracy. By understanding the challenges and achievements of the Confederation Congress, we can gain a deeper appreciation for the complexities of the American founding and the enduring legacy of the nation's first government.

What are your thoughts on the balance between states' rights and a strong federal government, considering the experiences of the Confederation Congress? How do you see its legacy influencing contemporary debates about federalism?