Final answer:
The main problems with the Articles of Confederation were its creation of a weak, ineffective central government that lacked the power to enforce laws, levy taxes, or raise an army. Decentralized authority among the states further contributed to internal disputes and inconsistencies.
Step-by-step explanation:
The Articles of Confederation had several significant issues. One of the essential problems was that it created a central government that was too weak to effectively govern. It lacked power to enforce laws or compel obedience from the states, which led to inefficiencies and disruptions.
The national government also had no power to levy taxes or raise an army, which further compromised its effectiveness and resulted in economic and defense-related issues. Without taxation powers, the national government was chronically underfunded, unable to pay war debts or finance foreign affairs appropriately. The inability to raise an army meant that the safety of the nation was dependent on the cooperation of the states, which was not always forthcoming.
Moreover, the authority and decision-making power were largely decentralized and given to the states. This decentralized authority created conflicts and inconsistencies between the states as each state had significant control over its affairs, leading to uneven practices and internal disputes.
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