These articles were designed to be the Constitution of the 13 states that made up America. It was ratified in 1781. But within six years, revisions were already underway. Some of the major reasons why the Articles of Confederation failed are the following.

Tax Issues

Some of the biggest problems involved taxes. Congress had no power over its implementation. This led to several difficulties. First of all, the states gave very little financial assistance to the government. This made it almost impossible for the government to

pay the soldiers who fought in the Revolution.
Without money, Congress was unable to maintain an army. This made it easy for the British to set up camp in some areas because there were no patrols. Without funding, the government ended up in debt.

Trade Issues

Another reason why the Articles of Confederation failed was the insufficient law concerning trade. The lack of supervisory control meant the states could impose different tariff levels.

This led to trade standoffs that nearly paralyzed the economy. This problem wasn’t just confined to interstate trade. It was also evident in foreign trade as well.

The result was utter confusion. States used different tax systems and rates when buying and selling goods from each other. The different tax rates also affected their trade with European countries. It came to the point when each state used its own currency. As each imposed heavy taxes on the other, trading almost grounded to a halt.

No Federal Courts

The inefficient judicial system can also explain why the Articles of Confederation failed. The federal court was not yet in existence. This meant that border disputes were hardly ever resolved. Each state set up its own laws. Because the states didn’t recognize each other’s laws, fugitives were able to escape punishment by relocating to the nearest state around them.

The One Vote Law

The Constitution also set a provision whereby each state was worth one vote in Congress. Eventually some states ended up with having larger populations than others. The bigger states started complaining that the system was unfair.

Other Problems

For Congress to approve a legislative measure, it needed the approval of 9 states. With the intense state rivalries, it became impossible to secure a majority. Congress also lacked the power to keep the states from establishing trade relations with other countries.

Another reason why the Articles of Confederation failed was that Congress didn’t have the power to manage the states. This became evident with the Treaty of Paris in 1783. It was supposed to mark the end of the American Revolution, but Congress couldn’t even get the states to sign them.

Lack of Government Power

In the end it boiled down to an uneven distribution of power. Too much power was given to the states and not enough to Congress.

For all its deficiencies, it was able to function as the template for the new Constitution. By recognizing the reasons why the Articles of Confederation failed, Congress was able to make the proper revisions in 1788.

The Declaration of Independence played a significant role in shaping the history of the U.S. It announced the independence of the country from foreign rule, particularly that of the British Empire. Various independent colonies merged into one separate entity, which would later on become the United States. Here is a quick trip back to history and learn the real significance of the Declaration of Independence to U.S. citizens.

The Importance of the Declaration of Independence

Why was the Declaration of Independence important? This document was highly significant because it announced the decision of the United States to become independent and free from British rule. More importantly, it explained the reasons for doing so and it justified the purpose of such highly important decision.

Within this document, the leaders of the U.S. during that time listed grievances against the empire under King George III. It clearly represented the increasing desire of the people for freedom and justice. Furthermore, it also expressed the importance of the different rights of the people including the unalienable right to revolt against foreign rule. Add to that, this declaration emphasized the significance of liberty, life and pursuit of happiness for everyone.

Additional Information and Other Interesting Details Concerning the Document

According to historical records, the United States Declaration of Independence came about from June to July 1776. On July 4, 1776, the Continental Congress ratified it. All in all, 56 delegates were supposed to sign and approve the document. New Jersey, North Carolina and Pennsylvania were amongst the well-represented states. Delegates from Georgia, Virginia and New York were also present during the signing.

Before the document was drafted, a committee was assigned to do the job. Voted to become members of that particular committee were Benjamin Franklin, John Adams as well as Thomas Jefferson, all of which were credited for writing the declaration. During that time, John Hancock was the President of the Congress, who at the same time represented the state of Massachusetts.

Among the many individuals who were designated to approve and sign the document, some of them were new at that time including Benjamin Rush, Charles Carroll and George Clymer. Add to that, George Ross, George Taylor as well as James Smith were also present for the occasion. The other two important new members when the signing took place were Matthew Thornton and William Williams.

While some supposed members were present, others were not to found during that special day. George Clinton, Henry Wisner and Robert R. Livingston were not present when the approval happened. Meanwhile, John Dickenson refused to sign. Other delegates were replaced, namely Charles Humphreys, John Rogers and Thomas Willing.

Because of its highly successful outcome, other countries tried to imitate such glorious move for their freedom and independence. These include Venezuela, which declared its independence in 1811, Liberia in 1847 and Vietnam in 1945.

To try and understand the cause of the Cold War, it’s imperative that the roots be traced. Although it started in the 1950s, the rift between the United States and the Soviet Union began during World War II.

A Divided Europe

The last year of World War II saw the Russians advancing from the east and the United States in the west. By the end of the war, the eastern half of Germany remained in control of Stalin and the Soviets. The western end came under the influence of the US and her allies.

This situation would repeat itself all over Europe. Western Europe including Britain, France and Italy, would align themselves with the United States. In Eastern Europe, virtually all the countries became satellites of the Soviet Union. When assessing the cause of the Cold War, these alliances can be cited as one reason.

Competing Ideologies and Beliefs

The United States believed in democracy. They adhered to the policy of free enterprise, voting to choose leaders and freedom of expression. The Soviet Union on the other hand, adhered to the doctrine of Communism. Stalin and the Soviet leaders believed that the masses were incapable of choosing their leader. Therefore, ruling with an iron fist was necessary.

This ironclad rule would extend to its satellite countries. The Soviets would install leaders in Romania, Hungary and other Eastern European nations that were loyal to the USSR. They were also of course, Communists.

Distrust and Propaganda

Furthering the cause of the Cold War were the actions of both countries. Both assumed the very worst of each other. There were no peace or reconciliatory talks made by either side.

Both played up the threat from the other. They sent spy satellites and agents to check on the other’s activities. The media were also used. Radio, TV and films were used to attack the other. Various forms of propaganda were employed. Politicians would make unmistakable references and declarations, saying that the US / USSR were the threat to world peace.

Military Buildup

The most dangerous aspect of the conflict was the arms buildup. While conventional weapons rearming were common, it had been superseded by the development of nuclear weapons. The cause of the Cold War included the massive military buildup. Both sides stocked up on atomic, hydrogen and nuclear weapons. ICBMs capable of hitting each nation were also developed.

Other Areas of Competition

The United States and USSR faced off in other areas. Both sides tried to extend their influence in Asia. This resulted in the Korean War in the 1950s. Although the US and USSR did not figure in the fight, the US supported the South and the USSR the North. The two countries would do their best to extend their influence on the other countries. Aside from Korea, another example of this would be Vietnam.

When studying the cause of the Cold War, it becomes apparent that there is no single reason. The development of new weapons and distrust of one another would lead to its spread.

It’s important for people to realize why Mikhail Gorbachev was important. He came at a time when the USSR and the US were in the midst of a Cold War. Had it not been for his policies, thawing of the countries’ relations may not have taken place.

Glasnost and Perestroika

Perhaps two of his most well known reforms were glasnost and perestroika. Glasnost enabled the people to express themselves openly. It was a radical step that no other Soviet leader had taken. It was the first step towards democratizing the country.

The second reform was perestroika. It consisted of a series of economic reforms and policy changes. The sweeping reforms were aimed mainly at decentralizing planning. This was one reason why Mikhail Gorbachev was important.

Another one of the measures passed under his watch was the Law of Cooperatives. This happened in May 1988. It allowed for the ownership of businesses by private individuals. This allowed greater freedom than ever before. In due time, this led to more foreign investments to come into the country.

Meeting with Western Leaders

His efforts were met with mixed receptions in the USSR. His foreign policies were widely accepted and hailed by Western leaders however. Before his tenure, tensions had been running high between the West and the Soviet Union.

Among the first steps the Soviet leader took was to remove the tension between the West and the USSR. Gorbachev met with UK Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher and US President Ronald Reagan and sought better relations.

Easing Nuclear Tension

Another reason why Mikhail Gorbachev was important was his role in reducing the threat of nuclear war. Since the Cuban Missile Crisis, the two countries had been at the brink of conflict. In 1985, the Soviet leader announced that the delivery of nuclear weapons in various European countries would be stopped.

He also declared that the United States and the Soviet Union should reduce their nuclear arsenal in half. In November of that year, the Soviet leader met with US President Reagan in Switzerland.

The following year, the Soviet leader took further steps to easing nuclear tension. He called for the destruction of all medium range nuclear weapons throughout the European continent. He also issued orders for withdrawing Soviet troops from Afghanistan.

The Brezhnev Doctrine

The spread of democracy in Eastern Europe is another reason why Mikhail Gorbachev was important in world affairs. This was best demonstrated when he announced the USSR would discontinue the Brezhnev Doctrine. This meant the countries in Eastern Europe were allowed to handle their internal affairs without Soviet interference.

Collapse of the USSR

The radical policy shifts however, led to the collapse of the Soviet Union. Glasnost allowed anti Russian sentiment to be aired. A food shortage and economic crisis took place in the late 1980s. The collapse of the Republic in the late 1990s has been viewed by some as the result of his policies.

Whatever disagreements there may be, his influence cannot be questioned. There are many reasons why Mikhail Gorbachev was important as the facts show. There is no questioning his place in history.

The Olympic Games are without a doubt the biggest and the most anticipated sporting events in history. These events are participated by various countries all over the world. They showcase the highest level of sportsmanship possible. Held every two years, the games are divided into summer and winter festivities, which are scheduled alternately. Because these sporting events were halted at some point in time, it is good to know why the Olympics were revived.

The Reason Why the Olympics Were Revived

Why were the Olympics revived? After a long span of time when the Olympics were not held, a historian named Baron Pierre de Coubertin used the different sporting events and festivals as inspiration to reintroduce the Olympic Games to the world. In 1894, he established the International Olympic Committee. A couple of years after that, the games were resumed in Athens, which is the capital of Greece.

Before these important developments, numerous factors led to the stoppage of the games. Despite the benefits and advantages that these games brought, the Romans ordered the elimination of such practices when they gained control over Greece in 393 AD. In the 19th century, the games got their revival in modern times.

In 1829, Greece finally got its independence from the Ottoman Empire. Once its people were set free, they showed great interest on the revival of the games. In 1859, an international sporting event was held just like that of the old Olympics. After that, various events and festivals followed. Coubertin attended the Olympian Games of the Wenlock Olympian Society in 1890. As he watched the different events, he thought that a revival of the Olympics was attainable. One of his major goals during that time was to internationalize the events.

From June 16 to June 23, 1894, the members of the International Olympic Committee and the Olympic Congress met in Paris, France. At the conclusion of the meeting, the attendees have decided to hold the very first modern version of the Olympic Games on Athens in 1896. Demetrius Vikelas was elected as the very first president of the International Olympic Committee, which successfully handled and organized the different games and events.

Additional Information and Other Important Details

When the Olympic Games were revived in 1896, the participants recorded for the different events numbered less than 250 athletes. The different sports featured on that inaugural event included weightlifting, tennis and swimming. Wrestling, shooting and gymnastics were also held. Add to that, other athletes competed in fencing, cycling and athletics. This initial success served as a positive indication of more great things to come in future events.