Foreign relations showed the weaknesses of the Articles of Confederation. This weakness made many people want a stronger national government. Let’s break it down:
Problems with Diplomacy: The United States had a hard time making its mark in the world. For example, Britain refused to leave its forts in the Northwest Territory. This went against the Treaty of Paris from 1783. Since there was no strong leader to handle these issues, other countries started to doubt the U.S.
Trade Challenges: The Articles of Confederation did not give the national government the power to manage trade. This created confusion. Each state started making its own rules and taxes on trade. For example, states like Massachusetts and New York had arguments over trade, which hurt their economic relationships and caused more division than teamwork.
Outside Threats: Other countries took advantage of the U.S.'s weak government. In 1784, Spain blocked access to the Mississippi River for American boats. This river was very important for people living in the western parts of the country. The government's inability to handle this made it clear that they needed a stronger national system.
These problems showed that without a strong national government, the U.S. would struggle to be respected and engaged in international affairs. This led to the call for a new Constitution.
Foreign relations showed the weaknesses of the Articles of Confederation. This weakness made many people want a stronger national government. Let’s break it down:
Problems with Diplomacy: The United States had a hard time making its mark in the world. For example, Britain refused to leave its forts in the Northwest Territory. This went against the Treaty of Paris from 1783. Since there was no strong leader to handle these issues, other countries started to doubt the U.S.
Trade Challenges: The Articles of Confederation did not give the national government the power to manage trade. This created confusion. Each state started making its own rules and taxes on trade. For example, states like Massachusetts and New York had arguments over trade, which hurt their economic relationships and caused more division than teamwork.
Outside Threats: Other countries took advantage of the U.S.'s weak government. In 1784, Spain blocked access to the Mississippi River for American boats. This river was very important for people living in the western parts of the country. The government's inability to handle this made it clear that they needed a stronger national system.
These problems showed that without a strong national government, the U.S. would struggle to be respected and engaged in international affairs. This led to the call for a new Constitution.