Final answer:
The Articles of Confederation left the national government unable to impose taxes, organize defense, or effectively manage foreign affairs, leading to the need for a stronger federal government.
Step-by-step explanation:
The Articles of Confederation had several notable weaknesses which led to problems in effectively governing the nascent United States. One of the glaring issues was that the national government had no authority to impose taxes, leaving it financially impotent and unable to pay debts from the Revolutionary War or conduct adequate foreign affairs. Furthermore, each state had only one vote in Congress, regardless of its size, which led to issues of unequal representation.
The Articles also did not allow for the creation of a standing army or navy, making defense dependent upon the states that could refuse requests for soldiers, potentially leaving the country vulnerable. These flaws revealed the need for a stronger federal government, which was eventually realized with the drafting of the Constitution.