Question

What are the weaknesses of the Articles of Confederation (our 1st government)?

1) Lack of central authority
2) Inability to enforce laws
3) No power to tax
4) Difficulty in amending the Articles

Answer 1

The weaknesses of the Articles of Confederation included lack of central authority, inability to enforce laws, no power to tax, and difficulty in amending the Articles.

Step-by-step explanation:

The weaknesses of the Articles of Confederation, our first government, include:

1. Lack of central authority: Under the Articles of Confederation, the national government had limited power and could not enforce its decisions on the states.
2. Inability to enforce laws: Without a strong central authority, the national government had difficulty enforcing laws and resolving disputes between states.
3. No power to tax: The Articles of Confederation did not grant the national government the power to tax, making it difficult to fund its activities and address financial issues.
4. Difficulty in amending the Articles: Amending the Articles required unanimous approval from all thirteen states, which made it challenging to address the shortcomings and adapt to changing circumstances.