Final answer:
Two main weaknesses of the government under the Articles of Confederation were its inability to levy taxes, leading to financial constraints, and the lack of central authority to regulate commerce and maintain a standing army, as exemplified by Shays' Rebellion.
Step-by-step explanation:
Main Weaknesses of the Articles of Confederation
The government under the Articles of Confederation was indeed weak, which consequently led to significant functional limitations. Two main weaknesses were:
- The national government's lack of power to levy taxes, which left it financially crippled and unable to pay debts or fund essential services. Without this critical capability, the government depended on voluntary financial contributions from states, which were inconsistent and insufficient.
- A severe deficiency in central authority to regulate commerce and maintain a standing army. Each state acted almost as an independent country, creating conflicting legislation, and the national government could not mitigate disputes or defend the nation effectively.
Because of these significant shortcomings, Shays' Rebellion highlighted the inability of the government to maintain order or provide assistance, demonstrating the dire necessity for a more robust centralized system.