Question

Mr. Snuffleupagus, a former general in the Revolutionary War, has not received a paycheck from the government for several months. He appeals to the national government to pay him and many other soldiers immediately. Can the federal government under the Articles of Confederation solve this problem? Why or why not?

Answer 1

The federal government can not solve Mr Snuffleupagus problem under the Articles of Confederation.

Because the Articles of Confederation gave power for the states to decide many war matter issues and money. The Articles of Confederation decentralized federal power and decisions, it was so weak that it failed.

Then to fund the war the states had to collect the taxes, if they did not the government had to borrow the money and then expect the states to collect it from the population and the market, but the Congress could not tax themselves the people, only the states could do it.

Also there was none named court to judge and resolve problems as from Mr. Snuffleupagus in the Articles of Confederation.

Lastly no executive branch existed to guarantee the states would do what Congress approved.