Final answer:
The primary reasons why relations between the states and Congress worsened during the years of the Articles of Confederation were the absence of a president or executive branch, the requirement of unanimous vote to pass anything, and the lack of a system of national courts.
Step-by-step explanation:
The primary reason why the relations between the states and Congress worsened during the years of the Articles of Confederation was because there was no executive branch or president. Without a central figure to enforce the laws and coordinate the actions of the states, the states often acted independently and refused to obey the laws of Congress. This created a situation where the states acted like small, separate nations rather than a unified country.
Furthermore, unanimous vote of all 13 states was required to pass any legislation. This made it difficult for Congress to pass any laws or make decisions, leading to a lack of effective governance.
In addition, there was no system of national courts under the Articles of Confederation. This meant that there was no way to settle disputes between states or ensure that the laws were enforced consistently.
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