The Articles of Confederation and Shays Rebellion - Essay Example

The major points of the articles of confederation were (Rebellion - Manuscript: Articles of Confederation, www. Shays’ rebellion.stcc.edu) :

• Assigned a name of “the United States” to the group of 13 freed states of America.
• Ensures freedom to all the 13
• The favor should be there from all states for a common cause or national defense, whenever needed.
• Although, states are separate and every state is free for their doings but citizens of every state are free to go to other states of America and will enjoy civilian rights also.
• Congress would be held in favor of national interest and every state must send its representatives in congress to discuss common issues.
• War is prohibited among states of America without the permission of congress. Standing army fleets is not allowed, only maintenance army groups can exist in a state.
• All states are allowed to appoint army officers in conditions where self-defense is required.
• A national wealth system is proposed and contribution would be appropriately done from all states of America
• Congress will be responsible to control the affairs of conflicts between states, worth of currency, army management, etc.
• The executive committee will be formed in light of guidelines laid by congress.
• If any new state is going to be added to the United States of America, it would be added after approval from the nine major states of America.
• War expenditures will be paid by congress.
• All states must follow the article and if any amendment is required, it will be made by congress and signed by all the following states.

Beyond any doubt, the articles have provided strength to the states of America, but it has done a lot to fade the role of a central government. The articles were the major culprits to generate the shays’ rebellion. Congress was unable to generate money for national needs because there was no system of taxes on the states and citizens and this has declined the financial status of congress and according to the articles, congress will bear all debts that were burdened on army men; when the congress was unable to pay the debts to the citizens of all the states, due to its limited funds, citizens were overburdened and they have demanded a single central ruling authority for all the states through Shays’ rebellion.