Some people in the states during the early years of the American republic had formed factions to promote their own interests at the expense of the common good. They made laws to benefit themselves while ignoring the property rights of the political minority.

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The weak national government under the Articles of Confederation led to severe problems during the early days of the republic. For example, Congress could not regulate trade between the states, so states taxed goods moving between them. This led to a slowdown in business and people lost their jobs.

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Despite a treaty with Great Britain that promised fair treatment of the Loyalists, state governments did not always respect the treaty, in some cases refusing to return property they had taken away from the Loyalists.

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The United States experienced several problems as a result of the weak national government under the Articles of Confederation.

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Learn about some of the accomplishments of the national government under the Articles of Confederation.

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Learn about the organization of the new national government under the Articles of Confederation.

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Learn about the Founders' considerations when creating a national government.

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The American Founders believed that a national government was needed to unify the states and to conduct the Revolutionary War against British rule. Congress adopted the Articles of Conferation in 1777.

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After the Declaration of Independence, the states wrote their own constitutions, which normally included a bill of rights. Although the rights protected by state bills of rights varied, all included rights for people accused of a crime. Some included the idea that civic virtue was essential to preserving freedom.

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Learn about the Virginia Declaration of Rights on today's 60-Second Civics.

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