Final answer:
The weaknesses of the Articles of Confederation included lack of power of the national government, inability to regulate trade, and difficulties in passing laws.
Step-by-step explanation:
Under the Articles of Confederation, the federal government was quite weak relative to the states. Some of the weaknesses associated with the Articles of Confederation included:
- Lack of power: The national government had limited authority and could not enforce laws or collect taxes.
- Inability to regulate trade: Without the power to regulate trade, states could establish their own tariffs and currency, leading to economic difficulties and disputes.
- Difficulties in passing laws: The Articles required a unanimous vote of all the states to pass laws, making it difficult to get things done.
These weaknesses ultimately led to the call for a stronger central government, which resulted in the drafting of the U.S. Constitution.