The Articles of Confederation, which served as the first constitution of the United States, had several significant weaknesses that ultimately led to the drafting of a new Constitution. Here are five key weaknesses:
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Lack of Central Authority: The Articles established a weak central government with no executive branch. There was no president or executive authority to enforce laws or coordinate national policy, leading to difficulties in responding to crises or overseeing interstate relations.
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Inability to Levy Taxes: The federal government was unable to impose taxes; it could only request funds from the states. This led to chronic underfunding of the government and an inability to pay debts, including those incurred during the Revolutionary War, undermining national credibility.
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No Power to Regulate Commerce: The government had no authority to regulate interstate or foreign trade. This lack of regulation led to trade disputes among states, economic instability, and difficulty in negotiating with foreign nations since there was no unified trade policy.
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Unanimous Consent Required for Amendments: Any amendments to the Articles required unanimous agreement from all thirteen states, making it nearly impossible to adapt to changing circumstances or address inherent weaknesses. This rigidity hindered meaningful reform.
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Ineffectiveness in Conducting Foreign Relations: The weak central government struggled to conduct foreign policy or negotiate treaties effectively. Without a strong, unified stance, the United States appeared fragmented to other nations, which undermined its ability to assert itself on the international stage.
These weaknesses highlighted the inadequacies of the Articles of Confederation and led to calls for a stronger federal government. The inability of the Articles to effectively manage the newly independent states spurred the Constitutional Convention of 1787, where delegates ultimately drafted the new Constitution. This new framework created a more balanced system with an executive branch, the power to levy taxes, a strong federal government capable of regulating commerce, and a more flexible amendment process, addressing the deficiencies of the Articles of Confederation.