Congress of the Confederation
Chair: Ben Smithgall (bsmithgall@uchicago.edu)
Crisis Director: Erin Britton (eebritton@uchicago.edu)
Moderator: Reece Trevor
Occupying a unique position in the development of the emergence of the United States out of the Revolutionary War, the Congress of Confederation was the first attempt by the newfound States at achieving a democratic nation. Operating under the direct powers enumerated in the Articles of Confederation, the Congress of the Confederation was assigned the task of overseeing the national security and foreign affairs of the loosely federated thirteen United States of America. Immediately after its inception, this body was faced with a host of challenges on both domestic and international fronts. This committee will face these challenges and gain an understanding of how the Articles of Confederation had the capability to succeed, but also of the difficulties that the Congress faced in executing the powers granted to it. From border disputes between states to rebellious soldiers and farmers, the challenges facing this body will provide a new appreciation for the struggles in the beginning of our nations history.