"Perhaps the greatest service rendered by the Articles of Confederation was the impetus its shortcomings gave to those who favored a strong central government." After the Declaration of Independence, there was a sense among Congressman that they wanted a written document creating a government justifying the existence of the United States. The delegates of the Second Continental Congress were attempting to codify arrangements that had never before put into legal terminology. As a result, in late 1777, the Articles of Confederation, creating a loose "league of friendship" between the thirteen sovereign or independent colonies, were passed by the Congress and presented to the states for ratification. The Articles created a type of …show more content…

Eventually the Virginia Plan triumphed following a declaration from Randolph that, "When the salvation of the Republic is at stake, it would be treason not to propose what we found necessary." Though the basic structure of the new government was established, the work was not complete. These differences were resolved through a series of compromises. The Great Compromise, proposed by Roger Sherman of Connecticut made a way for the Bicameral legislature in the constitution. Lower House or the House of Representatives consisted representation based on population, which would have the power to originate all bills for raising and spending money. Whereas the Upper House or Senate had equal representation, two senators from each state. The national government would have the supreme power. The Three-fifths Compromise determined that slaves would be counted as 3/5s on 1 for the purposes of taxation and representation in the House of Representatives. Commerce and Slave Trade Compromise decided that the slave trade would be abolished in 20 years.(i.e. January 1808). It also gave Congress, the power to regulate commerce including interstate commerce or trade between states and also to enact tariffs by a simple majority. The first three articles established three branches of government. The legislative branch; Article I vests all legislative powers in the congress and establishes a bicameral legislature, consisting of Senate and the House of