Question

Why did the weaknesses of the Articles of Confederation lead to a critical period for the country in the 1780s? A) The Articles of Confederation granted too much power to the states, leading to conflicts between states. B) The central government under the Articles was too strong, limiting individual freedoms. C) The Articles of Confederation did not provide a strong enough central authority, leading to economic and political instability. D) The central government under the Articles was too weak to enforce laws and maintain order, leading to chaos and unrest.

Answer 1

The weaknesses of the Articles of Confederation resulted in a weak central government that faced difficulty enforcing laws, maintaining order, and dealing with economic issues. Instances like Shays' Rebellion manifested these weaknesses.

Step-by-step explanation:

The weaknesses of the Articles of Confederation led to a critical period for the country in the 1780s because it created a central government too weak to function effectively. As a result, the country faced economic and political instability, besides, the central government lacked the power to enforce laws, maintain order and raise an army. For instance, events like Shays' Rebellion, where the government struggled to quell uprisings, exposed this weakness.

This lack of adequate central authority led to conflicts between states, and the inability to deal with economic problems, such as the war debt from the Revolutionary War. Furthermore, the Confederation government's inability to effectively manage interstate commerce and negotiate trade agreements also contributed to its failure. All these issues compelled the country to revise the Articles of Confederation and develop a stronger, more effective central government as manifested in the Federal Constitution.

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