The dutch located trading posts near harbors and rivers, such as the hudson, in the early 1600s because 1. they were more familiar with the hudson river than with other locations. 2.they wanted water access to transport goods back to europe. 3.they wanted safe harbors for battles with france, england, and spain. 4.they wanted to send their explorers into new territory.

B. they wanted water access to help transport goods back to Europe.

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the articles of confederation only set up the continental congress at the federal level. there were no executive or judicial branches except within the states. the states were allowed to keep every right that was not specifically given to congress. the bonding of the states was through a 'firm league of friendship' that best served as a defense agreement against invasion. states were not allowed to use taxes as a way to discourage treaties, and states were extremely limited in their dealings with foreign nations.

not many historians today talk about the strengths of the articles of confederation, likely because of how unpopular the document quickly became. the articles did set the legislative body, congress, as the highest power in the nation because of the fear of monarchy. congress had the sole power to declare war, assign treaties, entertain foreign relations, and operate post offices. disputes between states and territorial issues were to be brought to congress. the document also stipulated that canada was allowed to enter the union if they desired.

there were more weaknesses than strengths under the articles of confederation. the lack of power given to the continental congress strangled the federal government. the articles gave congress the power to pass laws but no power to enforce those laws. if a state did not support a federal law, that state could simply ignore it. congress had no power to levy taxes or regulate trade. without a federal court system or executive leader, there would be no way to enforce these laws, either. amending the articles of confederation would also require a unanimous decision, which would be extremely difficult.

on this day in 1913, henry ford installs the first moving assembly line for the mass production of an entire automobile. his innovation reduced the time it took to build a car from more than 12 hours to two hours and 30 minutes.