Weaknesses of the Articles of Confederation:
* Lack of a Strong Central Government: The Articles created a weak central government with limited powers. It had no executive branch and a weak legislative branch (Congress) with limited authority.
* No Power to Tax: Congress had no power to tax, making it difficult to raise revenue to fund the national government. This dependence on state contributions proved unreliable.
* No Power to Regulate Commerce: The absence of national regulation of trade led to interstate disputes and hampered economic growth.
* Lack of National Currency: The absence of a common currency made trade difficult and hindered economic stability.
* Limited Enforcement Power: The Articles lacked the power to enforce laws effectively. States could disregard federal laws, creating chaos and inconsistency.
* Unanimity Requirement for Amendments: Amendments to the Articles required unanimous consent from all states, making it nearly impossible to make necessary changes.
Consequences of the Articles' Ineffectiveness:
* Economic Instability: The lack of a strong central government led to economic instability, including hyperinflation and widespread debt.
* Interstate Disputes: The absence of national authority over trade resulted in disputes between states over tariffs and other commercial matters.
* Weak National Defense: The Articles' inability to raise a standing army left the nation vulnerable to foreign threats.
* Shays' Rebellion: The economic crisis and the weak central government led to Shays' Rebellion, a violent uprising by farmers in Massachusetts, highlighting the fragility of the existing system.
Conclusion:
The Articles of Confederation ultimately failed to provide an effective framework for governing the newly independent United States. Its weaknesses, including a lack of central power, limited financial resources, and inability to enforce laws, led to economic instability, interstate disputes, and a fragile national defense. The weaknesses of the Articles ultimately paved the way for the drafting and ratification of the United States Constitution, which established a stronger federal government with greater powers.