Articles of Confederation: List at least 3 weaknesses.

Answer 1

1) Lack of central authority: The Articles of Confederation created a weak central government, with most powers retained by the individual states. This lack of a strong central authority meant that the national government had limited ability to enforce laws or regulations, leading to a lack of cohesion and coordination among the states.

2) Inability to levy taxes: Under the Articles of Confederation, the national government did not have the power to levy taxes directly. It could only request funds from the states, which often resulted in insufficient funding for the national government. Without a reliable source of revenue, the government struggled to pay off debts and fund essential expenses, such as defense.

3) No ability to regulate commerce: The Articles of Confederation did not grant the national government the power to regulate interstate or international commerce. This led to a chaotic economic situation, with each state imposing its own tariffs, trade regulations, and currencies. It hindered the growth of a national economy and created trade disputes among the states, undermining economic stability.