Madison’s 1787 essay “Vices of the Political System of the United States” outlines his objections to the Articles of Confederation. This essay combines historical reflections from his “Notes on Ancient and Modern Confederacies” with observations he made living under and serving in the Confederation Congress. Madison’s essay criticizes the weakness of the government under the Articles to respond to foreign threats, contain interstate conflicts, and secure citizens’ rights from majority tyranny. Madison’s argument suggests the need for a strong national government to properly respond to these difficulties. This essay anticipates remarks Madison would make in the Constitutional Convention and in his contributions to the Federalist Papers.