Question

Identify the national government's strengths and weaknesses under the Articles of Confederation.

Strength Weakness

unicameral legislature
dependence on states for funds
mutual defense of states
ability to make laws

Answer 1

Under the Articles of Confederation, the national government's strengths and weaknesses can be summarized as follows:

**Strengths:**
1. **Mutual Defense of States**: The Articles provided a framework for mutual defense among states, promoting a sense of unity against external threats.
2. **Ability to Make Laws**: The central government had the power to make laws, which allowed it to address issues that transcended state boundaries, such as foreign relations and trade.

**Weaknesses:**
1. **Unicameral Legislature**: The Articles established a unicameral legislature with limited powers, which made it difficult to pass legislation efficiently or respond effectively to national issues.
2. **Dependence on States for Funds**: The national government relied on voluntary contributions from the states for funding, leading to financial instability and an inability to raise revenue or support a standing army.

This structure resulted in significant challenges for governance and ultimately led to the drafting of the U.S. Constitution.