Final answer:
The Articles of Confederation had several weaknesses, including the lack of power to collect taxes, the difficulty in passing laws, and the inability to enforce them and regulate commerce. These weaknesses severely limited the effectiveness of the national government and eventually led to the creation of the U.S. Constitution.
Step-by-step explanation:
A significant weakness of the Articles of Confederation was its lack of power to collect taxes. Under the Articles, the national government did not have the authority to tax the states or the people directly, which limited its ability to raise funds for its operations, including maintaining an army and navy. Instead, the government relied on voluntary contributions from the states, which were often insufficient.
Another weakness was the cumbersome system for passing laws. A consensus of nine states was required for any measure to pass, making it very difficult to enact legislation. Moreover, Congress could not enforce the laws it passed; it was up to the states to implement these laws, and they could choose not to comply. This lack of centralized enforcement power made the government ineffective in many respects.
Additionally, while the Congress under the Articles of Confederation had powers, such as conducting diplomacy and coining money, it had no power to regulate interstate commerce, which led to disputes between states and hindered economic growth and cooperation. The Confederation Congress also lacked the power to prevent states from issuing their own currency or imposing their own tariffs, further complicating trade and finance.