What were some weaknesses of the Articles of Confederation?

Question

They did not allow the national government to raise taxes or enforce laws.

They focused only on trade agreements.

They gave too much power to the federal government.

They prevented states from creating their own laws.

Answer 1

The Articles of Confederation had several significant weaknesses, including:

1. Inability to Raise Revenue: The national government could not levy taxes, which meant it had no reliable source of funding. This made it difficult to pay off debt from the Revolutionary War or finance its operations.

2. Lack of Enforcement Power: The national government did not have the authority to enforce laws. This meant that even if Congress passed legislation, it had no power to ensure states complied with it.

3. Weak Central Authority: The Articles created a weak national government that had limited authority. Most power remained with the states, which led to a lack of cohesion and an inability to address national issues effectively.

4. No National Judiciary: There was no system of national courts to interpret laws or resolve disputes between states, which made it hard to maintain order and justice across the country.

5. Unanimous Consent for Amendments: Any amendment to the Articles required unanimous approval from all states. This made it nearly impossible to correct the shortcomings of the Articles.

6. Interstate Trade Issues: States could impose tariffs on each other's goods, leading to trade disputes and economic tension between them.

7. Limited Military Power: The national government could not maintain a standing army or navy, relying instead on state militias, which made it difficult to respond to internal or external threats.

In summary, the Articles of Confederation focused on state sovereignty while failing to provide a strong enough national framework, leading to significant challenges in governance and economic stability.