What are the strengths of the Articles of Confederation?

The Articles of Confederation, approved on November 15, 1777, by the Second Continental Congress, was the first-ever attempt in American history to establish an equal representation of the states in terms of the federal government. The strengths of this document include the creation of the Northwest Ordinance and signing successful treaties with Britain and France.

Explanation:

Before the creation of the US Constitution in the way it is known today, the first-ever attempt to legally document the patterns of representation and participation of the US states under one federal government. In 1776, The Second Continental Congress realized the absolute necessity of establishing a definite system of states’ collaboration for their prosperity. Hence, they decided to define the legislative scheme that would have nothing in common with the British monarchy. The Articles of Confederation implied having one representative from each of the 13 states irrespectively of the state territory or population.

Although the newly organized system has enough flaws, its overall impact was rather positive. First of all, being created in the midst of the American Revolution, the Articles of Confederation was eventually able to put an end to it by signing the Treaty of Paris in 1783. Another considerable strength was the admission of the Northwest Ordinance to the federal government. The Ordinance allowed residents of the US to form their confederations, consisting of three to five states as well as it also banned slavery across the territory of these states. Last but not least, another positive aspect of the Articles included the creation of various legislative departments, which later in the future helped the American government submit its interests and principles as a sovereign state.