Final answer:
The national government could not maintain law and order under the Articles of Confederation due to the lack of a national court system, insufficient ability to raise funds, and reliance on states for enforcement of laws.
Step-by-step explanation:
The reason that most closely illustrates why the national government was unable to maintain law and order under the Articles of Confederation is that there was no national court system. The lack of a national judiciary meant that the Confederation Congress could not enforce its laws, leaving enforcement up to the discretion of state courts, which were inconsistent in their rulings. Additionally, the national government lacked the power to impose taxes and had to rely on states for funding, often resulting in insufficient resources to address the country's needs, such as raising an army or policing. These issues underscored the government's inadequacies and significantly contributed to the movement towards creating a stronger federal government symbolized by the U.S. Constitution.
Learn more about Articles of Confederation