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Federal government

The federal government as it existed under the Articles of Confederation consisted of one-house legislation. Articles of Confederation was the first constitution that developed America as confederation of sovereign states. This only worked for the creation of weaker government as power of taxation was denied to congress. It was also restricted for controlling interstate commerce and even foreign trade. America faced many challenges under Articles of Confederation because central government was lacking power to manage interstate matters or to impose taxes. Absence of centralized military power was another weakness which resulted in Shays’s Rebellion. Rebellion started when the farmers realized the weaker policies were causing economic loss. Residents were paying high taxes which encouraged them to stand against the state policies. This was an armed uprising in Massachusetts that occurred in a response to debt crisis. Several violent attacks occurred outside courthouses and farmers opposed the policies of state. Central government was unable to handle the situation due to weak military power. Poverty was another issue faced by the American citizens due to weak governing system. Articles thus failed to live up to the needs of new nation. The nation was expecting that the articles would promote equality and offer freedom that will offer better opportunities of growth. However the articles restricted the power of central government and made it difficult to implement laws.

Two major divisions of constitution convention include federal and state government. The central challenge faced was to decide how much power was to be given to the federal and state. The power of imposing taxes and regulating currency and commerce was given to the government. Separation of power was the part of constitution convention in which federal and state developed. Taxes, trade, slavery and foreign affairs were the major activities that raised questions for deciding powers. Most of the powers were left with the state government which resulted in limited power of the federal government. Federal government lacked power to impose taxes and implementation of policies was also difficult. The constitution still need changes such as by increasing the power of federal government because it has direct access to the communities and people. By increasing power of federal government it is possible to make policies more effective and resolve public issues CITATION crf19 \l 1033 (Crf, 2019).

Jeffersonian democracy refers to the movement of president Thomas Jefferson that was initiated in the nineteenth century. The focus of his democracy was to give the power of judgment to the common people to give them the right of choosing leadership. Democracy by Jefferson meant to give greater liberty to the citizens for choosing their leader. It also emphasized on holding leader accountable in front of the people. This democracy contradicted the political philosophy in many ways. His ideology was an “absolute acquiescence in the decisions of the majority” CITATION Mar196 \l 1033 (Kelly, 2019). He stressed on the will of people which meant that people should have freedom to take decisions. It is the people who could choose the best state. His ideas contradicted with the monarchic ideology that common people lacks ability for making rational choices. While Jefferson believed in giving the power to the people. The most appropriate way for this was to rely in elections and give voting right to the people. Another contradictory thought of Jefferson was that the governments must be simple and frugal. He further suggested limiting the size of federal government by reducing army, navy and internal taxes. Two major divisions of constitution convention include executive and judicial. The central challenge faced was to decide how much power was to be given to the excutive (president) and the judicial branch.

References

BIBLIOGRAPHY Crf. (2019). BRIA 25 2 The Major Debates at the Constitutional Convention. Retrieved 01 21, 2010, from https://www.crf-usa.org/bill-of-rights-in-action/bria-25-2-the-major-debates-at-the-constitutional-convention.html

Kelly, M. (2019). Why the Articles of Confederation Failed . Retrieved 01 21, 2020, from https://www.thoughtco.com/why-articles-of-confederation-failed-104674