HIST 2055 : Spring 2012 History Exam 2 Terms
Document Summary
Articles of confederation congress approved the first national constitution in november of: it took four more years until february 1781 for all the states to ratify these articles of. The articles of confederation provided for a government by a national legislature essentially a continuation of the second continental congress. That body had the authority to declare war and make peace, conduct diplomacy, regulate indian affairs, appoint military and naval officers and requisition men from the states. In affairs of finance it could coin money and issue paper currency. Extensive were these responsibilities, congress could not levy taxes or even regulate trade. The crucial power of the purse rested entirely with the states, as did the final power to make and execute laws. Even worse, the national government had no distinct executive branch. Congressional committees, constantly changing in their membership, not only had to make the laws but had to administer and enforce them as well.
