Final answer:
The Articles of Confederation failed due to a lack of centralized power, weak national defense, and an inability to regulate trade.
Step-by-step explanation:
The Articles of Confederation failed as a government due to several problems:
- Lack of Centralized Power: The government under the Articles of Confederation lacked a strong central authority. This meant that the national government had limited power to enforce laws, collect taxes, and regulate commerce, leading to inefficiencies and difficulties in governing the country.
- Weak National Defense: The Articles of Confederation did not provide for a strong national defense. The states had their own militias, but there was no central military force to protect the country from external threats, making the nation vulnerable.
- Inability to Regulate Trade: The Articles of Confederation gave the national government limited authority to regulate trade among the states and with foreign nations. This resulted in economic conflicts, as each state could impose tariffs or trade restrictions, hindering interstate commerce and compromising the economic stability of the nation.
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