Question

The excerpt below was written by Noah Webster in 1785.
Plan of Policy for improving the Advantages and perpetuating the Union of the American States. In the first place, there must be a supreme power at the head of the union, vested with authority to make laws that respect the states in general and to compel obedience to these laws. Such a power must exist in every society or no man is safe.
Source: Excerpted text from the original publication from 1898/Public Domain
According to the excerpt, which problem did the Articles of Confederation create?
A
a lack of checks on legislative powers
B
a lack of powers given to state legislatures
C
the lack of authority to enforce congressional acts
D
the lack of authority to apportion congressional districts

Answer 1

C

Webster is arguing the national government lacked a "supreme power ... to compel obedience to these laws," pointing to the Articles' weakness in enforcing congressional acts (no strong federal enforcement powers).