How many votes were required for Congress to pass a law under the Articles of Confederation?

How many votes were required for Congress to pass a law under the Articles of Confederation?

• A. A simple majority
• B. Two-thirds majority
• C. Unanimous approval
• D. A two-thirds vote from the states

Answer: (B)

Under the Articles of Confederation, Congress required a two-thirds majority to pass most laws. This means that out of the thirteen states, at least nine had to agree before a law could be enacted. This high threshold was intended to ensure that significant legislation had widespread support, reflecting the concerns of the states during the post-Revolutionary War period where unity and consensus were deemed essential to maintain the fragile alliance among the states. The requirement for a two-thirds majority created a challenging environment for legislative action, often leading to gridlock, as it was difficult to achieve such a consensus, especially on controversial issues. This aspect of the Articles is a critical factor that contributed to their eventual replacement by the U.S. Constitution, which established a different voting system for legislative decisions.

Under the Articles of Confederation, Congress required a two-thirds majority to pass most laws. This means that out of the thirteen states, at least nine had to agree before a law could be enacted. This high threshold was intended to ensure that significant legislation had widespread support, reflecting the concerns of the states during the post-Revolutionary War period where unity and consensus were deemed essential to maintain the fragile alliance among the states.

The requirement for a two-thirds majority created a challenging environment for legislative action, often leading to gridlock, as it was difficult to achieve such a consensus, especially on controversial issues. This aspect of the Articles is a critical factor that contributed to their eventual replacement by the U.S. Constitution, which established a different voting system for legislative decisions.