Final answer:
The #1 weakness of the Articles of Confederation was the insufficient power of the national government, which could not tax, raise an army, or regulate commerce, as evident from events like Shays' Rebellion, leading to the formulation of the U.S. Constitution.
Step-by-step explanation:
The #1 weakness of the Articles of Confederation was the lack of power given to the national government. As the nation's first constitution, the Articles created a federal government that was too weak to effectively manage the country's needs. This was primarily because the Founders, wary of the tyranny experienced under British rule, opted for a government with limited capabilities, prioritizing state sovereignty over a strong central authority.
As time passed, it became clear that a government unable to levy taxes, raise armies, or regulate interstate commerce was inadequate. Notable examples highlighting these weaknesses included Shays' Rebellion, where the national government's inability to suppress the uprising exposed its impotence, prompting calls for a stronger federal framework. Such limitations ultimately led to the drafting of the U.S. Constitution, which established a more balanced distribution of power between the states and the federal government.
This pivotal change included mechanisms to amend the Constitution and strengthen the federal government by giving it the power to tax, the ability to maintain a standing army and navy, and oversee interstate commerce. These changes were crucial for the nation's growth and stability, ensuring the federal government could act in the interests of the entire country rather than be beholden to the varying agendas of individual states.