What were the weaknesses of the Articles of Confederation?

The Articles of Confederation had weaknesses such as lack of central authority, inability to levy taxes, and no unified military.

The Articles of Confederation, the first constitution of the United States, had several significant weaknesses that hindered the smooth functioning of the government. One of the most glaring weaknesses was the lack of a strong central authority. The Articles were designed to preserve the independence and sovereignty of the states, and as a result, the national government was weak and had limited power. This led to a lack of unity and coordination among the states, making it difficult for the government to implement and enforce laws effectively.

Another major weakness was the inability of the national government to levy taxes. Under the Articles, the government could request funds from the states, but it could not enforce these requests. This led to financial instability and made it difficult for the government to fund its operations and pay off its debts. The government was also unable to regulate trade, which led to economic disputes among the states and hindered economic growth.

The Articles of Confederation also did not provide for a unified military. Each state had its own militia, and there was no national army or navy. This made it difficult for the country to defend itself against foreign threats and maintain internal order. The lack of a unified military also made it difficult for the government to enforce its laws and decisions.

Furthermore, the Articles required a unanimous vote of all thirteen states for any amendments to be made. This made it nearly impossible to rectify the weaknesses of the Articles, as getting all the states to agree on any changes was a daunting task. This requirement for unanimity essentially ensured that the weaknesses of the Articles could not be easily addressed, further exacerbating the problems faced by the government.

In summary, the weaknesses of the Articles of Confederation, including the lack of a strong central authority, the inability to levy taxes, the absence of a unified military, and the requirement for unanimous agreement for amendments, severely hampered the effectiveness of the government and led to its eventual replacement by the Constitution.