The Articles of Confederation Almost Broke America (Before It Even Began) | Road To Liberty
March 29, 2026
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4:57Now PlayingThe Articles of Confederation Almost Broke America (Before It Even Began) | Road To Liberty
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as posted by the channelAmerica won the war… then nearly lost the peace. The Articles of Confederation left Congress powerless to pay the Army—and in 1783, that unpaid anger nearly turned into mutiny.
Before the U.S. Constitution, there was America’s first constitution: the Articles of Confederation—a “league of friendship” designed to prevent tyranny, but so weak it couldn’t reliably raise revenue, stabilize trade, or support the Continental Army.
In this episode of Road To Liberty, the story is told through an unpaid Continental Army officer watching promises turn into debt: from the desperation of winter campaigning to the breaking point at the Newburgh Conspiracy, when frustrated officers considered pressuring Congress—and George Washington’s Newburgh Address stopped them cold.
And then Washington makes one of the most important choices in American history: he resigns his commission and returns power to civilian government—setting a precedent the young republic desperately needed… even as the system that created the crisis remains unresolved.
WHAT IF: If Congress can’t pay the Army, and the war is over… should the officers have forced the issue? Or was Washington right to refuse any path that smelled like a new king?
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