Chapter 1
Weaknesses of the Articles of Confederation
WEAKNESSES |
OUTCOME |
| Congress had no power to levy or collect taxes. | The government was always short of money. |
| Congress had no power to regulate foreign trade. | Quarrels broke out among states and trading with other countries was difficult. |
| Congress had no power to enforce its laws. | The government depended on the states for law enforcement. |
| Approval of nine states was needed to enact laws. | It was difficult to enact laws. |
| 13 states needed to approve amendments to the Articles. | There was no practical way to change the powers of government. |
| The government had no executive branch. | There was no effective way to coordinate the work of government. |
| There was no national court system. | The central government had no way to settle disputes among the states. |
