Read the excerpt: The Confederation was formed when great confidence was placed in the voluntary exertions of individuals and of the respective states; and the framers of it, to guard against usurpation [an illegal grab of power, authority, or sovereignty], so limited and checked the powers that, in many respects, they are inadequate to the exigencies [requirements; demands] of the Union. We find, therefore, members of Congress urging alterations in the federal system almost as soon as it was adopted. . . .

We expected too much from the return of peace, and, of course, we have been disappointed. Our governments have been new and unsettled; and several legislature, [by their actions] . . . have given just cause of uneasiness.

Question:
Why does Lee (the writer) offer a review of the Articles of Confederation—why they were created and why they failed—as part of his argument against the new constitution?

“there he took part in the conquest of cuba. the spanish government gave him land and slaves in return for his service… eventually, he settled down on a plantation. but he was restless, and still far from wealthy. in fact, he was in debt. what money he had, he squandered on gambling, expensive clothes, and nights out on the town. then his luck turned. spanish sailors landed on the yucatan peninsula of mexico and sent back word of an extraordinary find… rumors of a land filled with gold… cortes leaped at the chance for gold and glory… velazquez, the spanish governor, grew troubled and sent orders forbidding [cortes] to sail. but cortes was not about to lose this opportunity. under the cover of darkness, he raised anchor and slipped from port.” how did cortes lose what money he had before he set sail for mexico? a he put all his money into a business that declared bankruptcy. b he spent it on fancy clothes, gambling, and having fun. c he gave it away to charity. d it was stolen from him.