Question

Which weaknesses are associated with the Articles of Confederation? Choose all that apply. (4 points)

Answer 1

The Articles of Confederation had several weaknesses, including:

1. **Lack of a Strong Central Government**: The Articles created a loose confederation of states with a weak central authority, which made it difficult to enforce laws or unify the states.

2. **No Power to Tax**: Congress did not have the power to levy taxes, making it challenging to raise revenue for national needs and leading to financial instability.

3. **No Power to Regulate Commerce**: The central government could not regulate trade between the states or with foreign countries, leading to economic disarray and competition among states.

4. **Unanimous Consent Required for Amendments**: Any amendments to the Articles required the unanimous consent of all thirteen states, making it nearly impossible to adapt or improve the system of government.

These weaknesses contributed to the eventual decision to replace the Articles of Confederation with the U.S. Constitution.