Question

Where did the articles of confederation place the most government power

Answer 1

The Articles of Confederation vested most power in state governments, leading to a weak national government. The inability to manage national issues under this system prompted the creation of the U.S. Constitution, which established a stronger federal government.

Step-by-step explanation:

The Articles of Confederation placed the most government power in the hands of the state governments. Under the Articles, the national government was quite weak compared to the states, lacking significant powers such as the independent power to tax, the ability to service the national debt, and to raise an army without the consent of the states. The Articles made the national government subordinate to the states, and as a result, many problems such as servicing the war debt, managing disputes among states, and controlling popular uprisings, like Shays's Rebellion, could not be effectively addressed.

Answer 2

After winning its independence from Great Britain in the Revolutionary War, the new country situated on the eastern seaboard of North America needed to fashion some form of governmental system. The Articles of Confederation represent the first constitutional agreement made between the 13 American states. There was a need for unity among the new states that were created as a result of the American Revolution. The relative powers of the individual states and the Continental Congress also needed to be defined for the young country. These realities led Congress to entrust John Dickinson with the drafting of a federal constitution.